Because he could turn into their second signing this month, Milan are closing in on a deal for Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo. Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to provide all concerned a boost, but it will be welcome to have more reinforcements arrive to improve the likelihood of securing a top-four finish for Milan in Serie A. Based on La Gazzetta dello Sport, Todibo has given the green light to a change to join up with the Rossoneri, but discussions are still continuing between Milan and Barcelona to achieve an agreement on the conditions of the offer. At only 20 years old, Milan are moving for another young player both in relation to his skill on the pitch and his worth off it. Todibo has not had too much playing time, but he has all of the characteristics and attributes to indicate he could improve and may develop to become a top-class defender when he is ready to get experience and maturity. Milan should identify a long-term and trusted companion for Alessio Romagnoli to create a base that is good in the centre of the defence for the group. Mateo Musacchio has made many errors and is overly vulnerable to be regarded as the alternative, while Leo Duarte and Mattia Caldara are coming back to injuries. Subsequently, Todibo might be a timely alternative from the short term using a view of becoming a long-term solution at the back if his touted move goes through, and it arguably has a similar sense to the transfer of Theo Hernandez with regards to a youthful talent under-utilised in a huge club elsewhere and who’s then given a major chance to demonstrate their value. According to respected writer Gianluca Di Marzio, it’s been indicated that a buy-back clause will be included in any arrangement to provide Barcelona the choice to re-sign Todibo when he wants to return. That will leave his prospective open to settling in Milan and seeing a future there, or being given another opportunity and needing to reunite with Barcelona at a later stage, with the door open for this chance. Milan have to be signing players who are fully committed to the cause and thus this facet of the deal is a drawback. What signal does this give to Caldara? Since he joined Milan, yes, he has had a complete nightmare. However, it would be a pity to see him fail to get an opportunity when fully fit before falling down the pecking order or being sent out to make room. It’d be safer if the Rossoneri at least gave him a shot at setting himself alongside Romagnoli as Milan lovers all expected he’d have, but it is going to apparently become more and more hard for it to happen if they bring in a different central defender with all the previous 18 months awaiting him being a complete waste. There are different variables to think about in that a method to change to a three-man backline may be in the offing, for which Milan are currently trying to sign another defender. Since Milan may elect to sell somebody else, it does not necessarily indicate that it is the end for Caldara. It seems as if the Rossoneri are pushing to develop Todibo into a Milan player by the month’s end, although time will tell how the situation plays out.
