AC Milan eye Nikola Milenković as January alternative to Gonçalo Inácio

AC Milan have reportedly added Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenković to their shortlist ahead of the January transfer window.

Ruben Amorim wants another centre-back after adding only Mario Gila to his defensive options during his first summer at San Siro. Sporting defender Gonçalo Inácio is Milan’s preferred target, but Milenković has emerged as a potentially cheaper alternative.

According to Calciomercato.it, Amorim is an admirer of the 28-year-old Serbia international.

The Milan coach knows Milenković from his time at Manchester United, having faced Nottingham Forest three times without recording a victory. Milenković even scored during Forest’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford in December 2025.

His versatility is another attraction. The former Fiorentina defender is comfortable in both a back four and a three-man defence, with the latter particularly suited to Amorim’s preferred system.

Milenković also has extensive Serie A experience after spending seven years with Fiorentina before joining Nottingham Forest in 2024.

Despite Milan’s interest in Milenković, Inácio remains Amorim’s first choice.

The Portuguese coach worked with the defender at Sporting and is interested in reuniting with him in Italy. However, Sporting are currently demanding more than €40million.

Milan reportedly have no intention of advancing negotiations unless that valuation drops, leaving Milenković as one of the alternatives being considered.

Calciomercato.it places Milenković’s value at around €28m, making him considerably cheaper than Inácio.

However, that figure comes from Transfermarkt rather than a Nottingham Forest asking price, and there are several reasons why Forest would likely demand significantly more.

Milenković has not missed a Premier League match since making his Forest debut in August 2024. He has accumulated 97 appearances for the club, contributing six goals and three assists, while his contract runs until 2029.

That combination of durability, importance and contractual security means Forest would have little reason to sanction a January departure for €28m.

Milan’s next move could depend heavily on Sporting’s stance over Inácio. If his price remains above their preferred budget, Milenković may become a more serious target, although convincing Nottingham Forest to sell a key defender midway through the season could require a substantially higher offer.