AC Milan mercato moves hint that Pioli is already sacked

AC Milan have decided to stand still on the transfer market despite the plea of coach Stefano Pioli who has asked for two signings.

The January transfer window for Italian clubs ends on the 1st of February. While Serie A teams can still sell players, because the winter mercato ends later in several leagues, they can not sign any players. Until now AC Milan have conducted only two significant operations. The Rossoneri sold Rade Krunic to Fenerbahce and brought back Mattia Gabbia from Villarreal.

Gabbia returned to cover for the emergency in defense with Thiaw, Kalulu and Tomori all out and expected to return between February and March. But Gabbia’s return is too little and Stefano Pioli has been clear about that. The Italian coach, abandoned his ‘company man’ persona in a recent interview, and was pretty vocal about what he still wants from the January window.

Stefano Pioli explicitly asked the signing of another centre back and a new central midfielder. No replacement has arrived from Rade Krunic who was considered a key player from Pioli. However, time is ticking and AC Milan have made no step forward on this front. Furlani and Moncada have openly ignored Pioli’s plea for a new defender and midfielder.

Such a decision is not motivated by financial reasons but rather it highlights that Stefano Pioli is no longer part of the talk for AC Milan’s future plans. The Italian coach will keep his job until the end of the season and then bid farewell to AC Milan. The Pioli cycle is over and, regardless if AC Milan get sold or not, Stefano will leave the club in the summer. The next transfer window will cover the needs of the new coach.

Antonio Conte is the Rossoneri’s dream. There has already been contact between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the former Juventus, Inter and Chelsea coach. Conte is open to join Milan but requires guarantees regarding the ownership and investments, besides a healthy paycheck. Other potential names for the coach job include Thiago Motta and Raffaele Palladino.

READ MORE: Di Marzio reveals €30m-rated AC Milan top January target