GdS: Why Verona talent ticks boxes for Milan in midfielder pursuit | OneFootball

A new name has popped up in AC Milan’s search for a new central midfielder according to a report: Reda Belahyane of Verona.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights Milan’s need to sign a midfielder in January given the amount that Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders are playing. Ismael Bennacer is still injured, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Yunus Musah clearly do not offer sufficient guarantees.

Morten Frendrup of Genoa is the name that the management have had circled at the top of their list for a while, but Belahyane of Verona is emerging as a candidate. The Moroccan has an EU passport, having been born in France, which is crucial given Milan have no slots to register non-EU players.

The Rossoneri first of all wants to understand how the recovery of Bennacer progresses. If he were to respond well to the recovery program, they could also decide not to invest in a midfielder. Otherwise, the budget is €20-25m which would be enough in theory to land Belahyane.

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Belahyane has perhaps less physical qualities than Frendrup, given that he plays in a double pivot with Verona but is more involved in the build-up phase than in being a disruptor. Thus, the question could become more of a tactical one, in terms of what Milan need more.

Another factor in Belahyane’s favor is his age. Born in 2004, the Franco-Moroccan could be added to the list of players for the league (but not the Champions League) without having to free up a spot.