Italian Serie A side AC Milan are looking to sign Chelsea center back Benoit Badiacil, 22, on loan in the upcoming January winter transfer window.
“AC Milan are working to sign Chelsea defender Benoit Badiazzi on loan in the January winter transfer window,” Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday (Jan. 18).
The Rossoneri currently have Picayune Tomori, 26, and Malik Chiarelli, 22, as their first-choice center backs. Potential options Pierre Kaloul (23) and Marco Pellegrino (21) are out of the squad due to injuries, while veteran center back Simone Kjaer (34) continues to have recurring physical problems.
As a result, Milan are looking for a new center back and Chelsea defender Badiacil has emerged as a target. Milan want to bring Badiacil on loan for the rest of the season and are in talks with Chelsea.
Badiacil joined Chelsea in January from AS Monaco in France. Badiajcil was a solid performer in every game he appeared in last season, raising expectations among Chelsea fans.
However, with Thiago Silva (39) and Axel Disassi (25) firmly entrenched as Chelsea’s first-choice center backs this season, he hasn’t seen much playing time. After missing the early part of last season due to a late-season injury, he has been on the substitutes’ bench since October but has yet to make a league appearance.
Badiasil is a left-footed center back who has quick feet for a defender of his stature at 6-foot-2. His strong physicality allows him to win the battle for possession against opposing strikers, and his excellent left foot allows him to build up from the back.
Given his lack of playing time at Chelsea, Badiajcil should be considered for a loan move. It is unknown whether Chelsea would accept a loan offer, but if Milan were to send in a good offer, they would likely bring an excellent center back to their squad.
In addition to Badiacil, Milan are also keeping tabs on Arsenal’s Yakup Kibior, 23. Kiviour is considered surplus to requirements at Arsenal and Milan should have no problem signing him if negotiations for Vardyacil fall through.