6 moves Milan need to make in the January transfer window

Football fans would be mistaken for thinking we'd all jumped in a time machine and been shipped back to the 1990s by looking at the Serie A table.

No, baggy football shirts and boots with a fold over tongue haven't returned, nor is The Rock running around calling people 'jabronis' (Dwayne – Mr Johnson – shouldn't that be 'jabronii'?) but instead, Serie A has quietly become one of the most exciting leagues in Europe once again. The league is enjoying a genuinely open battle for the Scudetto between Milan and Inter after a decade of Juventus dominance.

Milan endured arguably their worst stint in the club's history throughout the 2010s and completely fell off the radar, but are back and have assembled a side that gets more exciting with every game under the management of Stefano Pioli. They've collected 79 points from 35 games in 2020 - more than anyone else in Serie A - and finally look to be moving in the right direction, but still have work to do.

With that in mind, here's how they should use the January transfer window in order to maintain the rebuild and secure the title.

1. Find a Zlatan Ibrahimovic Replacement

While Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn't the sole reason for the Rossoneri's revival, his goals and presence behind the scenes cannot be ignored.

He's the man to look toward when the chips are down and understands the club - he's also freakishly good despite literally being 39 years old.

All good things must come to an end, though, and Milan must prepare for life after Zlatan. Rafael Leao might prove to become that man, but relying on him alone isn't enough.

Sign a young replacement in January and let them learn as a rotation option before taking the reins in the future.

2. Renew Hakan Calhanoglu's Contract

Calhanoglu's creative powers in the final third have been crucial to Milan's fire power this season. He's managed six goals and nine assists in all competitions in the first half of the season and looks a threat whenever he touches the ball.

Not only that, but the Turkey international is versatile, a set-piece specialist and has his best years ahead of him at just 26. Renewing with Milan could see him become a key figure in a potential revival, earning him hero status, rather than letting him slip away and having to find a replacement.

3. Sign a Top Class Centre-Back

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, Alessio Romagnoli and Theo Hernandez make up a youthful and exciting Milan defence, but one more central defender cut from the cloth of the top level is needed to finish it off.

Simon Kjaer has looked sharp since signing permanently in summer, but at 31 and struggling with injuries, his long-term future cannot be guaranteed. Milan have the pull to compete with top clubs and must use it to finish off a near-brilliant defence.

The likes of Leo Duarte, Rade Krunic and Andrea Conti are all seemingly surplus to requirements and can be sold to bring in extra funding.

4. Renew Gianluigi Donnarumma's Contract

Top teams need a top goalkeeper, and Milan would be silly to fall into the trap of letting go of Donnarumma.

Breaking through at just 16 years old, Donnarumma already has over 200 appearances in the bag for the Rossoneri at the age of just 21, which is...well, terrifying.

His talents have been on show this season and he can only improve with time. He has to stay and become a key figure in their revival.

5. Loan Out Pierre Kalulu

This one is dependent on the third issue on the agenda, truthfully.

It's too early to tell whether or not 19-year-old Pierre Kalulu can develop and plug that defensive gap alongside Romagnoli, but he's impressed in the absence of Kjaer.

Should Milan sign another defender, however, it's best to get Kalulu out into the world of European football so that he can get some regular, first-team minutes under his belt and continue developing on an exciting start to his senior career.

6. Discuss a Permanent Move for Diogo Dalot

Many would've predicted that Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot would've walked into Milan's first XI upon his loan arrival, but Davide Calabria's consistently immense performances have meant the Europa League is often his time to shine.

This isn't a bad thing, though. His arrival has added the perfect amount of competition for places and gives Pioli quality in depth; United no longer seem interested in his services, thus a permanent deal could be struck on the cheap.

Get the ball rolling in January and make the move official at a later date.