Alex seen as Nesta replacement to keep Milan on title track
Published:AC Milan are considering whether to make Chelsea defender Alex their fourth new recruit in the January transfer window as an injury to Alessandro Nesta threatens to damage their Serie A title chances.
Nesta’s partnership with Thiago Silva at the heart of the Milan defence is one of the chief reasons that the club have established a four-point lead at the top of the table.
This cushion has seen AC Milan priced at 4/5 in the Serie A betting odds to win the title, but they may have to play the next month without their important veteran defender after he dislocated a shoulder in the win over Cesana.
A host of injuries have left Milan needing to utilise all of their squad and coach Massimiliano Allegri will be keen to locate a replacement for Nesta in the transfer window.
Brazilian defender Alex is perhaps the leading target, but much will hinder on whether Chelsea manage to sign long-term target David Luiz from Benfica.
Allegri has been particularly busy in the window as he looks to avoid Milan slumping in the latter half of the season.
Antonio Cassano has already added some extra creativity in attack to supply Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Mark Van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson are still awaiting their debuts.
Van Bommel has arrived from Bayern Munich and will add some extra bite to a midfield that already includes Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini.
Emanuelson may find himself utilised more in a squad rotation policy, but will add some pace out wide when selected and some versatility as he can be picked anywhere down the left side.
Napoli are the nearest pursuers in Serie A, but their 10/1 quote to win the title suggests that they are expected to fall away in the latter half of the season.
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