AC Milan considering move for Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile?

AC Milan reportedly hold an interest in signing Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile during the January transfer window.

The Italian giants have enjoyed a solid start to the new campaign, collecting 23 points from their 13 fixtures in Serie A.

However, the 2021-22 champions are currently on a four-match streak without success which has not been helped by injury issues to a number of their defenders.

Simon Kjaer, Pierre Kalulu and Marco Pellegrino have all spent time on the sidelines, leaving Stefano Pioli to rely on his other options more regularly than he may have wanted to.

Already eight points adrift of leaders Inter Milan, I Rossoneri will realistically consider making a number of additions at the midway point of the season.

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Nevertheless, club officials will not want to risk their position with FFP, making loan approaches far more likely than permanent transfers.

According to Calciomercato, Milan may attempt to negotiate a loan arrangement with Chelsea for Badiashile.

The Blues paid an alleged £32.7m when they signed the centre-back from Monaco in January, Badiashile going on to make 11 appearances during the second half of 2022-23.

A hamstring injury sustained towards the back end of the season halted his growing momentum, however, and he instead missed the start of this campaign.

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With Chelsea not participating in Europe, there have been fewer opportunities to be given game time, the France international having to be content with one start in the EFL Cup against Blackburn Rovers.

As a result of Chelsea improving of late, Badiashile remains down the pecking order, and chances may be limited as long as Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill are regarded as Mauricio Pochettino's priority options.

Chelsea are unlikely to give the green light to a temporary departure without acquiring a replacement, the report adding that Malang Sarr may be a more realistic option for Milan.

The 24-year-old has not been seen all season and Chelsea will attempt to facilitate an exit for the left-sided centre-back at the turn of the year.