Milan are reviving its interest in a January transfer window swap that would see striker Santiago Gimenez move to AS Roma, with Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk heading in the opposite direction to Milan.
This comes as reported by Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, following the two clubs’ failure to finalize a similar deal during the final days of the recent summer window.
The initial proposed trade involved a straight loan exchange of the two attackers, an idea driven by the tactical needs of both coaching staffs. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was keen on acquiring a strong target man for his squad, a profile Dovbyk fits well, while Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was seeking a forward with different characteristics from the Ukrainian, specifically favoring a player in the mold of Gimenez.
As detailed by Longo, the deal collapsed near the summer deadline due to a disagreement over terms. Milan’s management insisted on a simple dry loan swap, whereas Roma sought to include an option or obligation for a permanent purchase of Gimenez.
Sources indicate the two clubs are likely to reopen discussions in January. The idea of acquiring Dovbyk—a player Milan has tracked for at least two years—remains attractive to the Rossoneri. A swap deal with Gimenez would allow Milan to introduce a different attacking profile aligned with Allegri’s vision without committing to a significant financial investment. Any final agreement will depend on the current evaluation of the situation by Roma’s management.
