Transfer Talk: AC Milan eye USMNT star Johnny Cardoso

TOP STORY: Milan to strengthen USMNT contingent with Cardoso?

Real Betis and United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso is among the players that AC Milan are looking at as they aim to strengthen in the middle of the pitch, says Calciomercato.

Ismaël Bennacer will be out for four months following surgery, which has resulted in the Rossoneri looking to the transfer window, although it is yet to be seen whether they will focus on a midfielder who is good in transition or stronger defensively.

Chelsea's Carney Chukwuemeka is said to be an "obsession" for technical director Geoffrey Moncada, and the 20-year-old would be open to a January move having played just 14 Carabao Cup minutes for the Blues so far this season.

Among the possible options who are considered more defensively sound are RB Salzburg's Lucas Gourna-Douath and Cardoso. Even so, it could be difficult to complete a move for the latter due to Tottenham Hotspur's right to sign the 23-year-old, which was part of the deal that saw Giovani Lo Celso move to Betis in August.

Another player Milan like but may struggle to sign is Torino's Samuele Ricci, as the 23-year-old's impressive displays so far this term have seen his valuation skyrocket -- in addition to earning him a return to Italy's national team.

- Chelsea have added Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface to the list of options being considered as they aim to sign a striker in the summer, claims TEAMtalk. Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray, is still being looked at by the Blues. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres are also on the list, but Boniface could now be the priority.

- Werder Bremen are hoping to force Naby Keïta out of the club in January, reports Sport Bild, after the midfielder's proposed summer move to Hatayspor fell through at the last minute because the 29-year-old decided that he didn't want to go to Turkey. He will not be considered for matches and isn't allowed in the first-team changing room, which they hope will make the former Liverpool man want to leave with discussions ongoing with interested Chinese clubs.

- Tottenham Hotspur will trigger a clause to extend Son Heung-Min's contract by a year, reports The Standard, which avoids any concern about his current deal expiring at the end of the season. The 32-year-old has admitted that he hasn't held discussions with the North London club about a longer-term extension yet.

- Calciomercato have reported that Juventus could look to sign a striker in January due to concerns over Dusan Vlahovic's future. Whether or not they do could depend on Arkadiusz Milik's fitness. Lille striker Jonathan David and Victor Osimhen have both previously been linked with a move to Turin.

- Napoli will try to offload Mário Rui during the January transfer window, reports Nicolo Schira, with the left-back out of Antonio Conte's plans. The 33-year-old has made an official request to re-join training with the rest of the team, but won't feature in Serie A matches.