January precedents, inevitable inflation and musts for Cardinale [Bonus Article]

13 rounds into the season, albeit with a game in hand, AC Milan find themselves in 7th place and a telling six points behind Juventus in 6th place. Top four, meanwhile, is nine points away and questions are being asked about the direction of the Rossoneri’s project. More importantly, will any money be spent in January and if so, how much?

The transfer budget has always been at the helm of the anti-Cardinale and RedBird narrative, with some believing that there is a lack of investment for a club like Milan. It’s certainly true that few ‘big signings’ have been made in the last couple of years, but money has been spent consistently - apart from Cardinale’s first summer - and the squad value has also increased.

On the other hand, the January window has often been brushed aside by the Milan owners and management. The mentality is clear: the Rossoneri’s plan for a season is made before it begins, not in the middle of it, and then it is assessed only at the end. Whether we agree or disagree with that, the question is how sensible you can be in the fluctuating world of professional football.

Given the inconsistency at the start of this season, it’s understandable that most fans have their eyes on the January window. In this article, we break down the nature of the mid-season mercato, why Milan might be forced to spend more than intended and how that can be achieved (quite easily, we should add).

Reading time: about 10 minutes (2,100+ words)