We are now well into the January transfer window and the rumours are spreading fast and far. I thought it appropriate to look at some of the major transfer rumours surrounding the Milanello. In Part 1, I look at the rumours about players coming in. In Part 2 I will look at the rumours about players going out before finally sharing my views into who exactly we should buy this January.

Rumours: In

Fernando Torres has been the biggest name linked to the Diavoli in recent weeks. Whether the rumours are true or not one cannot know for sure but, unfortunately, this is one transfer that is hard to believe. Torres is one of the best strikers in the world today and for many he IS the best. There is no doubt that the Spaniard is an exceptional talent and alongside Didier Drogba of Chelsea I would argue that he is the best in the world. For these reasons Torres would come only if Milan were to pay a huge fee for him. And this, I believe, is simply not going to happen. We, Milan, do not spend that kind of money on players these days and with the board showing even more frugality in recent times, the chance of Milan raising such a hefty fee for a player are few to none.

And it is a shame that the rumours surrounding this story are – most likely – just that, rumours. For Torres has the quality and class to match the rich and successful history of our great club. A player like Torres would serve the club well by further adding to the club’s glamorous past with his scintilating talent that would surely drive Milan to more success

With Borriello occupying the central striking role at Milan there is much room for improvement in this department. Torres would be a fantastic addition and is the ideal player to fill our central striker role.

Edin Dzeko has again been linked to Milan. Again, Dzeko offers a great improvement in our central striking role that Borriello currently occupies. However, the Bosnian is not exactly the same quality as Torres yet would still demand a hefty fee for his services. The figure that has been speculated is somewhere around the 30 million euro mark. If Galliani were to raise such a sum, he might be better to throw in KJH in the deal and offer it to Liverpool in order to buy Torres instead.

I am also not convinced that Dzeko offers much more quality than a striker we already have at the moment. Huntelaar is the player that I refer to. It does not seem rational to splash out for Dzeko when he has only had one great season which was the 2008-09 campaign. In that season Dzeko scored an impressive 36 goals in just 42 matches but he has not really continued in the same vein of form this season having ‘only’ notched up 13 goals in 26 matches.

In comparison, Huntelaar proved himself over a four and a half season period in the Eredivisie. The German league may be slightly stronger than the Dutch league but there is no major gulf in standards between the two leagues. For this, I believe it may be best to wait until the end of the current season before deciding to go for Dzeko again. In the meantime, Milan will do well to give Huntelaar one more chance to prove himself before deciding on his situation. By giving Huntelaar a second chance, the purchase of KJH may just be justified if the Dutchman succeeds. In the case that he does, than maybe Milan do not need another striker at all. In the case that he does not, than there is a risk that we will have to rely on Borriello and Pippo. But I believe it is a risk worth taking for I have faith that KJH, if given a chance, will prove himself for Milan.

Ederson of Lyon has also been linked to Milan. The Brazilian who is only 23 years old is an up and coming talent who plays as an attacking midfielder in either the centre or the wing. Such a player would slot nicely into our team playing in either Seedorf’s attacking role or one of Ronaldinho or Pato’s wide attacking roles. With Seedorf turning 34 in April, a player like Ederson will be needed eventually and it may just be ideal to bring him in now and slowly integrate him into the team’s set up rather than wait for Seedorf to hang up his boots.

This is one transfer that may happen, with Ederson’s agent hinting that a January transfer is ‘probable’. I am all for this move, Ederson is a great talent and though he may not quite be a household name just yet, he is definitely one of the better young talents in the world today.

Milos Krasic is a name that has been linked to Milan for sometime. Asked when this transfer may occur, Galliani has repeatedly said that if he arrives in Milan it will not be until the summer. Krasic is an awesome talent who at 25 will soon hit his footballing peak. He has impressed again this season both in the Russian League and the Champions League.

I fully support the idea of bringing the Serbian international to Milan. Though he plays a similar role to that of Pato and Ronaldinho, he will be a valuable alternative to either of the Brazilians. In the case of an injury to either of our Brazilian wizards, Krasic would fit in seamlessly into the starting eleven.

But the presence of Pato and Ronaldinho in our two wide attacking roles and our greater need to strengthen other areas of the pitch, it seems unlikely that this transfer will occur. In addition, the signing of Adiyiah makes this transfer even more unlikely for in Adiyiah we already have a talented alternative to play in our attacking position albeit a raw one.

Hernanes Without doubt, the area we need strengthening the most is in midfield. The combination of Pirlo and Ambrosini has shown some serious deficiencies in the week of two before the Christmas break. Read my previous post for more on what has become our main problem.

But basically, we lack balance in the midfield. With Pirlo, Ambrosini and Seedorf in midfield we seriously lack defensive capabilities. This problem is compounded by Ambrosini’s inconsistency and the situation is no better when one considers that all our midfielders are over the age of 30.

Therefore the possible transfer of Hernanes is the most needed one of all. In Hernanes, we have a player who can dictate play from midfield, much like Pirlo, yet who offers more defensively. He is a more complete midfielder and this is exactly the kind of player we need to complement Seedorf and Ambrosini.

If only one of the transfer rumours are true, then I hope that is it the transfer of Hernanes.

Simplicio along with Nocerino of Palermo are two names that have been linked to Milan in recent weeks also. Both Simplicio and Nocerino are defensive-minded midfielders who offer little going forward. The idea of either these two players joining Milan does not excite me at all.

For sure they both may offer an alternative to Ambrosini or Flamini in the defensive midfield role but whether either of them offers much improvement from the players we already have is debatable. For this reason, I hope we do not sign either of these two players as it will be more wise if we pursue talents like Hernanes instead.

Nani of Manchester United has been linked to Milan following his unsettling situation at Manchester United. Nani was meant to really cement his place at Manchester United following the departure of Ronaldo, yet he has still not been afforded much playing time. It is well known that he wants out and Milan is a possible destination for the troubled Portugese star.

I cannot say that I am a fan of Nani and though he would provide a solid alternative to either Pato or Ronaldinho, I do not believe that he is worth signing. If we are to sign a back up for either of our Brazilian maestro’s then the name Krasic excites me more. The Russian scores more goals and looks a more dangerous player. Plus, I think Krasic offers more potential in the future and with some close guidance, he could become a real star in the future.

Guy Demel who plays for Hamburger in Germany may well be a clever signing. The French born Ivory Coast international is a strong and athletic right full back who would slide into our team with ease. Given our troubles at full back – though much improved troubles of late – Demel offers more defensively than Abate and more offensively than Oddo. With Antonini and Zambrotta sharing the responsibility of left full back, Demel would help sure up things on the right side without the club having to splash out big. Admittedly, I have only seen Demel play three times over the years, however, from what I have seen he could be an affordable and valuable addition to the squad.

Luis Fabiano Last but definitely not least I touch upon the never-ending rumours linking Luis Fabiano to the Rossoneri. Like Torres, Luis Fabiano is a player of undoubted class whose quality could help raise the standard of our team to a higher level.

Though I believe that Torres is the more gifted player, Luis Fabiano enjoyed a fantastic year in 2009 firmly establishing himself as Brazil’s preferred striker. With the attacking philosophy employed by Leo along with our significant Brazilian contingent already at Milan, Luis Fabiano would settle in well into life in Milan. The only problem I see with this transfer is that at 29 the Brazilian is not going to get much better. Given that he would demand a hefty fee, it may not be money well spent. For if we were to raise such a sum, surely we should try and lure a player who has his best years ahead of him. Therefore, Torres would be a better signing, though, if Luis Fabiano were to show up tomorrow, I would not be too disappointed.