Manchester City add rising AC Milan star to defensive shortlist amid Arsenal interest | OneFootball

Manchester City are actively monitoring AC Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi as they compete with Premier League rivals Arsenal for the Italian defender, as per reports.

For Pep Guardiola and City’s director of football Hugo Viana, the challenge is no longer simply winning matches but sustaining performance levels while planning for the next evolution of his squad. City’s transfer strategy reflects that reality.

Recruitment is rarely reactive and January windows are typically used to position rather than to overhaul. The club’s focus remains on identifying players who can be developed within Guardiola’s positional framework, often long before they are required to assume a starting role.

Defensive versatility has become a particular point of emphasis. Full-backs who can step into midfield, centre-backs comfortable defending wide spaces, and young players capable of absorbing complex tactical demands are all highly valued within City’s model. That explains why the club are frequently linked with emerging defenders across Europe.

It is within that wider context that City’s reported interest in Bartesaghi, a fast-rising talent in Italy has gathered momentum. Their entry into the race has not gone unnoticed, particularly by AC Milan, who are now moving quickly to protect a key asset.

Manchester City’s interest in Bartesaghi, 20, has progressed significantly in recent weeks, as reported by Quotidiano Sportivo and relayed by Sport Witness. Bartesaghi has impressed not only in his natural left-back role but also at centre-back, notably in AC Milan’s recent outing against Cagliari.

His adaptability has been matched by tangible output. Two weeks ago, the Italian scored twice against Sassuolo while operating from the left, underlining his attacking instincts and confidence in the final third.

Those performances have seen Bartesaghi effectively replace Theo Hernández in the starting XI – a significant marker of trust given the latter’s status at the club.

Even the summer arrival of Pervis Estupiñán has not altered the hierarchy. The Ecuadorian has slipped down the pecking order, a clear indication of how highly Bartesaghi’s recent contributions are being rated.

Interest in Bartesaghi is not new. In December 2025, Calciomercato reported long-standing admiration from Arsenal, who have tracked the defender’s progress closely. What has changed is the calibre and volume of competition.

More recently, Manchester City have joined the chase, while Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation. For Milan, that convergence of elite interest has triggered concern rather than celebration.

Bartesaghi is currently under contract until 2030, yet Milan are keen to act preemptively. The club is now preparing a new deal, accompanied by a wage increase from his current €1.1 million per season in an effort to reinforce his importance and deter potential suitors.

Bartesaghi is viewed internally as a pillar of Massimiliano Allegri’s project. His tactical intelligence, positional flexibility and age profile make him a natural fit for a side seeking stability alongside renewal.

From Milan’s perspective, the urgency is understandable. City’s interest, even at an exploratory stage, carries weight. Their track record of developing defenders into elite performers, coupled with Guardiola’s reputation, can be persuasive for young players weighing long-term pathways.

For City, the situation is being assessed rather than accelerated. Bartesaghi fits the profile they value: young, tactically malleable and already comfortable in multiple defensive roles. Whether that interest develops into something more concrete will depend on Milan’s ability to convince the player that his future is best served in Serie A.

What is clear is that City’s entry into the conversation has shifted the tone. AC Milan are now acting from a position of defence, keen to secure a talent whose rise has been rapid and whose potential is increasingly difficult to ignore.