Serie A: 5 January Transfer Rumours to Excite AC Milan Fans

AC Milan had a slow start to the season, but gradually, the Rossoneri have pulled their way back in to the reckoning in Serie A.

Massimiliano Allegri has led Milan on a fine spell of form of 11 games unbeaten, winning nine of those games.

The Diavoli are still not the complete package, despite Allegri partially transforming the side in the summer by discarding legend Andrea Pirlo and acquiring the likes of Antonio Nocerino, who has been a massive success.

Silvio Berlusconi has endured some problems politically, as he relinquished his position as Prime Minister of Italy. This has led many to believe he will now return to his number one passion: calcio.

With Adriano Galliani reported to have wined and dined every super agent in Europe, it appears likely that Milan will splash the cash in January to push the club from Serie A giants to being a serious contender in the Champions League.

Here, I delve in to five rumours that have been making the rounds in the media of late that are getting the fans excited and would undoubtedly strengthen a resurgent Milan.

Carlos Tevez is destined to leave Manchester City in January after his notorious fall out with Roberto Mancini, when he allegedly refused to play as a substitute against Bayern Munich.

Kia Joorabchian was pictured dining with Milan vice president Adriano Galliani and was rumoured to have struck a deal for the Argentine there and then.

City and Mancini are adamant that they will not allow the troublesome player to leave on loan at first and that it will take a hefty bid to secure Tevez's permanent departure, somewhere in the region of €25-30 million.

There was said to be a sticking point on the wages that the Argentine will earn, but Gazzetta dello Sport reported than an annual salary of €5 million (€96,000/week) has been agreed upon, which would be a huge pay cut.

Tevez would not be eligible for the Champions League, but Rossoneri fans should be salivating at the prospect of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tevez pairing up.

This transfer will almost certainly secure the club's second consecutive scudetto.

More importantly, Tevez would allow Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato or Robinho to rest well for the Champions League and allow Massimiliano Allegri to compete seriously on both fronts.

Fernando Torres's career has stalled somewhat since his £50 million transfer from Liverpool in January 2011.

Torres was said to be getting his chance in January, as Didier Drogba will depart temporarily while he participates in the African Cup of Nations.

But the form of Daniel Sturridge and Chelsea's long-term ambition to see the talented Englishman feature more centrally may lead Andre Villa Boas to feel most comfortable with Sturridge as his central striker with Romelu Lukaku as back up. If so, there remains a possibility that Torres could leave on loan, especially since he needs regular football to secure his space in the Spanish squad for Euro 2012.

AC Milan have emerged as a possible destination, according to the Daily Mail, who believe a loan with a view to a £30 million transfer in the summer could be possible.

These rumours are not only exciting for Milan fans but offer insight in to the transfer bargaining style of Adriano Galliani and why he always maintains such leverage when striking a deal.

By speaking with Chelsea about a possible move for Torres, Manchester City may begin to panic knowing that Milan have other irons in the fire.

Torres would be a more natural fit for Serie A if paired with Zlatan Ibrahimovic given the Swede's tendency to drop deeper these days and allow the Spaniard room to move in to.

Maxwell is an interesting target for Milan this January.

AC Milan's side is relatively set for the immediate future, but if one was to target an area to strengthen through necessity, it would be the left back area.

Massimiliano Allegri has swapped his choice in this position quite often this season, with Luca Antonini probably emerging has his most trusted option, Taye Taiwo being a liability and Gianluca Zambrotta struggling with injuries and pace in the final few years of his career.

Maxwell would certainly challenge Antonini and could possibly surpass him as an attacking option to balance the side, with Ignazio Abate being such a force from right back.

Tutto Mercato Web reported that Maxwell was being highly considered by the Rossoneri, as legend Paolo Maldini revealed the club were especially keen on the Brazilian.

Milan's most vulnerable position in the side in the short-term future is the defensive midfielder. Currently, Mark Van Bommel occupies the spot, but the Dutchman is hardly being challenged extensively.

Massimo Ambrosini is showing signs that age is catching up on him after a string of mediocre performances, and Gennaro Gattuso who would ideally play as a carillero but could conceivably operate in this position too, is out with his eye problem.

Seydou Keita is most definitely not a youthful option but is young enough to be able to energise this part of the team.

Keita is highly rated by Pep Guardiola, but due to the form of Sergio Busquets, he finds it almost impossible to hold down a place in the starting lineup.

Milan would not be seen as much of a back step in his career, and the opportunity would arise for regular starts.

Tutto Mercato Web have reported that Keita's name is continuing to be mentioned among the Rossoneri's targets and that a deal initially said to be lined up for next June could materialise in January. 

Marco Reus has been generating plenty of interest with his recent performance with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Milan are said to be leading the way, according to Corriere dello Sport (via Calciomercato), for a big January move for the German starlet.

Reus has been in scintillating form, with 10 goals in 14 appearances so far this season in the Bundesliga.

Reus has been operating as a trequartista of late, but he is also capable of playing further forward as an outright attacker or in the wide areas, and his versatility would be most intriguing to Milan.

Allegri has not ruled out eventually moving Kevin Prince Boateng back to a centre midfield role, and a player of Reus's calibre would allow Allegri to adjust the side in this way.

Bild (via Tutto Mercato Web) have stated that the 22-year-old would be tough to sign for less than €20 million due to his contract running out in 2015, but Milan could kill two birds with one stone by opting for Reus.

It would give Allegri the chance to be comfortable in a more expansive approach and also give them that added option in the Champions League, which would not be possible with moves for Torres or Tevez.

Follow me on Twitter @jackalexandros and @FRcalcioJack.