AC Milan’s first choice for a defensive reinforcement remains Roma defender Alessio Romagnoli and a failure to acquire him will see them target Ezequiel Garay, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Romagnoli has attracted the attention of Premier League heavyweights Arsenal as well as Serie A outfit Napoli, who had a bid for the defender rejected by Roma.
AC Milan have been linked with the highly-rated defender all summer, but they are not ready to raise their offer of €25m for the defender as demanded by Roma.
Under Sinisa Mihajlovic, the Rossoneri have added forwards Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca as well as midfielder Andrea Bertolacci from Genoa this summer.
However, having sold Adil Rami to Sevilla and released Daniele Bonera, AC Milan need to solidify their defence and are eager to prise away Romagnoli.
relatedNewsStory
But with Roma holding out for AC Milan to match their valuation of the 20-year-old, Garay has been identified as an alternative.
Garay is currently plying his trade with Zenit Saint Petersburg of the Russian Premier League and has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Romagnoli spent last season on loan at Sampdoria and grabbed two goals from his 30 appearances under then manager Mihajlovic.
