Moretto sweeps away the fake news: Milan, only Inacio in the defensive sights

Milan has only one concrete name in the defensive department for next season: Gonçalo Inacio. Matteo Moretto, Rossoneri sporting director, has brushed aside the rumors about John Stones, Manchester City's English centre-back whose contract expires in June. The 24-year-old Portuguese, currently playing for Sporting Lisbon, is the Rossoneri's most popular profile to replace the departing Ruben Ramos.

Moretto confirmed that Inacio is the only name actually evaluated, while Stones - born in 1994 and returning from a year affected by injuries - does not appear in Milan's shortlist. The Milanese management is aiming for a young profile with room for growth, discarding more famous but less predictable solutions. The club's defensive strategy moves on a specific time horizon: coach Stefano Pioli will have at least three high-level central defenders already in his squad, including Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori, as well as a possible extension for Matteo Gabbia.

In this context, the focus on Inacio is not accidental: the player costs around 50 million euros and embodies the profile of a modern defender, skilled at playing ball on the ground and with room for physical improvement. Milan does not want an emergency purchase, but a piece for a generational transition. Moretto closed the circle on the transfer rumors in a blunt press conference: «We have a solid squad and we are working to strengthen it with concrete profiles.

" The Rossoneri management, led by Paolo Scaroni, seems to want to avoid surprise attacks, focusing on a targeted purchase rather than solutions with an immediate impact. The approach reflects a desire for long-term planning, even at the cost of giving up more media names. The negotiations with Sporting Lisbon are at an advanced stage, but Moretto has avoided making any statements regarding the closing times.

" Milan cannot afford any missteps: the squad is already competitive, but the addition of Inacio would require an internal reorganisation, probably through the transfer of a member on loan or the release of a redundant player. Inacio's profile aligns perfectly with Pioli's game model, which favors technical defenders skilled in building from deep. The Portuguese, despite not being a physical giant, has shown reliability in the league and in European cups, where Sporting reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

His versatility — he can play both as a central defender and as a left-back — adds further value to the project. Milan, which finished the 2023-24 season in third place in Serie A, aims to consolidate the defense without upsetting the tactical balance. «We are not talking about an emotional purchase: we have analyzed every aspect of his profile.

" The Rossoneri management seems willing to pay the price asked by Sporting, but only if the agreement is structured on a fixed basis, without variable clauses. Milan is building their defensive future without relying on emergency solutions. Gonçalo Inacio represents the ideal profile for a generational transition: young, technical and with a cost in line with the sporting project.

Moretto's choice to exclude Stones - despite his pedigree - underlines a market strategy based on concreteness, not on suggestions. If the agreement comes to fruition, the club will have a key piece for next season, but will have to manage the squad with balance so as not to compromise the tactical balance. The attention on Inacio reflects a desire for long-term planning, even at the cost of giving up more media-focused but less predictable names.

Internal competition in the Rossoneri defensive department is already high, but the arrival of Inacio could accelerate the exit of a redundant player. Among the most mentioned names are Andrea Carboni and Simon Kjær, both with contracts expiring or not very competitive for Pioli's project. Carboni, in particular, made few appearances in the season just ended, while Kjær, at 34, represents a more experienced option but less suited to a long-term future.

The management will have to decide whether to focus on a loan with right of redemption or on a permanent solution, carefully evaluating the economic and sporting impact. The exclusion of Stones is not only a technical choice, but also an economic one. The English centre-back, despite being a European champion with City, would require a high salary and a multi-year contract, elements that do not align with Milan's cost containment policy.

Furthermore, Stones is already 32 years old and his performance in the last two years has been mixed due to recurring physical problems. The club prefers to invest in a young profile with room for growth, even if this means giving up a name with international appeal. What happens now: Milan awaits the green light from Sporting to finalize the agreement with Inacio.

If the deal closes, the club will have to review the squad to find space for a new centre-back, probably by selling a player on loan or releasing a redundant player. Stones, meanwhile, remains in the balance over his future: City could offer him a one-year renewal, but the player has already expressed his willingness to evaluate other options. Manchester City, on the other hand, are evaluating alternatives in defence, including Sporting youngster Ousmane Diomandé, who could emerge as a possible replacement. Read at MilanNews24