Cristante ideal Milan replacement for Bennacer, Roma seek Gourna-Douath | OneFootball

There is a transfer merry-go-round in full swing, as for Ismael Bennacer to join Marseille, Milan request Bryan Cristante, so Roma resume interest in Lucas Gourna-Douath.

As always on transfer deadline day, there are several different negotiations in progress that all depend on each other, creating a domino effect.

That is visible in Serie A with the Bennacer situation, as multiple sources including L’Equipe and Calciomercato.com note the Algeria international is pushing hard to leave Milan for Olympique Marseille.

He has already agreed personal terms and wants to make the transfer, but the Rossoneri first need to find a suitable replacement.

Cristante key to domino effect

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 01: Lucas Gourna-Douath of FC Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between FC Salzburg and Stade Brestois 29 at Stadion Salzburg on October 01, 2024 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Jasmin Walter/Getty Images)

Sky Sport Italia and DAZN point towards Cristante, who would fit the bill at San Siro for several different reasons.

He has fallen down the pecking order at Roma, has been known to play in central defence as well as in midfield and crucially came up through the youth academy at Milan.

This means he can register as a homegrown player and an Italian, both of which the club is sorely lacking in at the moment, limiting their squad list options.

That situation was already bad and only got worse after sending Davide Calabria to Bologna.

Fiorentina are also looking at Cristante, if they fail to do a deal with Juventus for Nicolo’ Fagioli.

Roma need to replace Cristante and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano notes they are back in the chase for RB Salzburg midfielder Gourna-Douath.

He had already been on their wish list in the summer, along with Milan links, and the 21-year-old is also a target for Stade Rennes in France.