AC Milan Revive Goncalo Inacio Talks as Gabbia Faces Three Months Out with Hamstring Tear

FolioPitch.com – 17 October 2026 | AC Milan have made signing a centre-back their absolute priority for the January transfer window, and the club has moved swiftly to Milan revive Inacio talks as Gabbia faces three months out, according to reports emerging from Italy. The urgency stems from a serious injury to Matteo Gabbia, who suffered a tear to his left hamstring with partial tendon involvement during recent training. Milan’s medical staff have opted for a conservative approach of rest and therapy over surgery—a decision that should accelerate his return but offers fewer guarantees of a full recovery. Gabbia is expected to be sidelined for at least three months, leaving new head coach Ruben Amorim desperately short of options at the heart of his defence.

The injury has transformed what was previously considered a luxury into an absolute necessity for the Rossoneri. Gerry Cardinale’s staff now view a January acquisition as essential to keeping the club’s season on track, particularly with a demanding Serie A schedule and European commitments on the horizon. Milan revive Inacio talks as Gabbia faces three months out, with the club’s recruitment team already working overtime to identify viable targets.

Inacio Reunion on the Cards

At the top of Amorim’s shortlist is Goncalo Inacio, the 25-year-old Sporting CP defender who previously flourished under the Portuguese coach in Lisbon. Milan have renewed contact with Inacio’s representatives, hoping to resurrect a deal that collapsed dramatically on the final day of the summer transfer window. The player himself would reportedly welcome a reunion with Amorim, having developed into one of the most highly rated ball-playing centre-backs in European football under his tutelage.

However, prising Inacio away from Sporting will not be straightforward. The Portuguese giants are notoriously tough negotiators, and Milan are aware that they will need to table an offer exceeding €40 million—a figure that may still fall short of Sporting’s valuation. The 25-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Lisbon club’s defensive unit and remains a key figure in their domestic and European ambitions. Any deal would likely require significant persuasion, both financially and in terms of sporting project.

Kim Min-jae Alternative

The other name on Milan’s radar is Kim Min-jae, the former Napoli defender currently struggling for game time at Bayern Munich. The South Korean international has made just three appearances for the Bavarian giants this season and appears to have lost the full backing of both the coaching staff and the club hierarchy. Milan have sounded out his representatives and would be prepared to move if he became available on favourable terms, potentially on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

Kim’s familiarity with Serie A—having been a revelation during his single season at Napoli—makes him an attractive proposition. His physicality, recovery pace, and aerial dominance would provide immediate reinforcement to a Milan backline that has been stretched thin. However, any move for the 28-year-old would depend on Bayern’s willingness to sanction a departure mid-season, which remains uncertain given their own squad depth concerns.

Financial and Tactical Considerations

Milan’s transfer strategy will be heavily influenced by Financial Fair Play regulations and the club’s wage structure. The Rossoneri are believed to favour a loan-with-option arrangement for either target, allowing them to defer major expenditure until the summer. However, Sporting’s stance on Inacio—who has a release clause significantly higher than the €40 million figure—could force Milan into a more substantial commitment.

Amorim’s system relies heavily on ball-playing centre-backs who can step into midfield and initiate attacks, making Inacio the ideal profile. The Portuguese defender’s left-footedness would also provide balance to a defence that has lacked natural left-sided options since Gabbia’s injury. Milan revive Inacio talks as Gabbia faces three months out, and the club’s hierarchy is understood to be fully aligned with Amorim’s vision for the squad.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Milan can secure their primary targets. Sporting’s participation in the latter stages of the Champions League could complicate negotiations, while Bayern’s own injury situation may dictate their willingness to part with Kim. Milan revive Inacio talks as Gabbia faces three months out serves as a reminder of the fine margins that define a season, and the club’s ability to react decisively in the January market could prove pivotal in their pursuit of domestic and European success.

In conclusion, Milan find themselves at a critical juncture. The loss of Gabbia for three months has exposed the fragility of their defensive depth, and the club’s pursuit of Inacio and Kim represents a proactive response to adversity. Whether they can land either target remains to be seen, but the determination to act swiftly and decisively underlines the ambition that now defines the Amorim era at San Siro.