AC Milan eyeing Chelsea duo as potential cover after injury blow - Reports

Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Malang Sarr have emerged as transfer targets for AC Milan. The Italian club are eager to sign a defender in January after Simon Kjaer suffered a season-ending knee ligament injury.

According to Sky Italia via MilanLive, AC Milan could look to make use of their close relationship with Chelsea to sign either Andreas Christensen or Malang Sarr in January. Stefano Pioli's side have signed a number of players from Chelsea in recent years, including the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Olivier Giroud, and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Danish defender Andreas Christensen has just seven months remaining on his current contract with Chelsea. The 25-year-old had fallen down the pecking order under the management of Frank Lampard.

However, the Chelsea youth product has managed to rejuvenate his career since Thomas Tuchel took over the reins at Stamford Bridge in January. He played a key role in Chelsea's Champions League triumph last season and has continued his impressive form during the 2021-22 campaign.

Christensen has made thirteen appearances for the club and has scored one goal this season in all competitions. According to the Guardian, Thomas Tuchel is a massive fan of the Dane, and is eager to convince him to extend his contract with the club.

Malang Sarr, on the other hand, has struggled to break into Chelsea's starting line-up since joining the club in 2020. He spent the 2020-21 season on loan with Porto, where he struggled to make an impact, before returning to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Sarr made his debut for Chelsea in their 1-0 victory over Brentford earlier this season. The Frenchman was praised for his impressive performance, but has made just three appearances for the Blues in all competitions this season.

AC Milan are currently at the top of the Serie A table, one point off second-placed Inter Milan. Stefano Pioli will be eager to sign a replacement for the injured Simon Kjaer in January to boost his side's chances of staying at the top of the league table.

AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini is keen to sign Andreas Christensen. The Italian giants could look to sign Malang Sarr on loan for the rest of the season if they are unable to convince Chelsea to part ways with Christensen.

Chelsea will prioritize contract extensions of their star players in the coming months

West Ham United v Chelsea - Premier League

A number of Chelsea's star players, including the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thiago Silva, will enter the final six months of their respective contracts with the Blues in January.

Antonio Rudiger has thus far rejected the chance to sign a contract extension with Chelsea and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen have attracted attention from Barcelona and AC Milan respectively.

Chelsea are likely to prioritize the contract extensions of Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Christensen, and Thiago Silva over the next couple of months to ward off any potential suitors for the defenders.