Milan could hand Bartesaghi new defensive role instead of signing centre-back
Quick summary
AC Milan are considering using Davide Bartesaghi in a new defensive role rather than bringing in a new centre-back during the transfer window.
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Attributed to original sourceMilan still have business to do before the close of the summer transfer window in just over a week’s time, and whilst reports claim that the Rossoneri are in the market for a new centre-back, the latest updates in Italy suggest that Ruben Amorim could have a solution already in-house in the form of Davide Bartesaghi.
Report: Milan could decide against signing a new centre-back, new role for Bartesaghi Milan have spent heavily on three new signings in Goncalo Ramos, who joined at a club-record fee from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer, as well as wing-back Diego Moreira and centre-back Mario Gila.
The Rossoneri are still hoping to add a new attacker to their ranks before the close of the summer transfer window as well as a new defender if possible.
For now, though, Milan must first shift a number of their current first-team players: Amorim has decided that Christopher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori are not part of his plans for the coming season and the club are at work to try and re-home the unwanted quartet. It also remains to be seen where Rafael Leao will be playing his football come September.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Head coach Ruben Amorim of AC Milan looks on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images) As for the incomings, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that a new attacking option is the absolute priority for Milan and that the Rossoneri might decide to leave it at that for the summer instead of trying to bring in a new centre-back as well.
There have been reports that Milan are interested in a deal for Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio, but Barcelona and a host of Saudi Pro League clubs are also in the mix.
Even if Milan sell Tomori this summer, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Amorim already has enough centre-back options at his disposal and that the club is likely to decide against adding another defender into the equation.
Summer signing Gila, Italy international Matteo Gabbia, as well as Strahinja Pavlovic and Koni De Winter are the four players competing for three starting spots at the back. Youngster Sankhoun Diawara has been brought in from Troyes and is also expected to be part of the first-team group.
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Filippo Terracciano could also stay with the Rossoneri this season, despite reports that he was set to leave earlier this summer.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images) And lastly, there is Bartesaghi, who had an impressive breakthrough season playing at left wing-back under Massimiliano Allegri last season, although La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Amorim sees him as a versatile player who is also capable of playing on the left of a back three, which provides a seventh option for the Rossoneri at the back this season.
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What happened
AC Milan are weighing up the option of repurposing Davide Bartesaghi within their back line rather than entering the market for a new centre-back. The young defender, who has featured prominently for the club, could be handed an expanded role to address defensive depth. This internal solution would allow Milan to allocate resources elsewhere as they assess their squad options ahead of the next phase of the season.
Chance analysis
Milan's preference to promote from within rather than buy is a clear signal of trust in their youth pipeline. Bartesaghi stepping into a hybrid defensive role could reshape how the Rossoneri set up at the back, offering more tactical flexibility without a transfer fee attached. It also keeps the door open for Milan to invest in other areas where they see a more pressing need.
Milan's defensive options are likely to remain unchanged with Bartesaghi absorbing a wider role rather than a new signing strengthening the back line.