Tonight’s Milan-Roma clash carries a strong transfer market flavor that cannot be ignored. Over the years, the two clubs have completed several deals, the most recent being the loan swap between Saelemaekers and Abraham, while also competing for other targets such as Manu Koné. In January, the axis linking the Lombard city and the capital could heat up again, as 'La Repubblica' this morning referred to as:
"The Game of 9s."
Both Milan and Roma have strikers struggling for form, and just like in the summer, the two sides might sit down again in the upcoming winter window to discuss a possible swap between Santiago Gimenez and Artem Dovbyk. For one reason or another, talks had collapsed in recent months because Roma wanted an option to buy the Mexican forward, but now that discussions have resumed, something could move forward.
The alternative to Dovbyk:
At this stage, Artem Dovbyk is Milan’s main target for January, although the club’s management is also monitoring other profiles for the center-forward role. Names mentioned include Joaquin Panichelli from Strasbourg, Jonathan Burkardt from Eintracht, and Kader Meité from Rennes, a Franco-Ivorian born in 2007 who has scored one goal and provided one assist in nine matches for the Breton side this season.
