Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti is looking at adding depth and experience at the back, but on a budget, during the winter transfer window. The response under the ex-Napoli head coach has been impressive, with patience in his tactical approach paying off with a string of positive results.
Former Juve boss Max Allegri has helped turn AC Milan into serious Scudetto contenders this season, but is exploring bringing in two players he coached in Turin.
Striker Dusan Vlahovic, who is being considered by the Premier League champions in January, remains on Milan's summer wishlist. The Serbia star turned down a switch to Juve's rivals before this campaign kicked off.
While Federico Gatti is a defensive priority for Allegri, even though the center-back is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will be not be back in action for at least another fortnight.
Allegri knows both players well from their time together at Juventus, and was one of his trusted troops in Turin.
Gatti has not enjoyed the best season, dropped by Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso and under Spalletti has been given less playing time that he had under previous Juve manager Igor Tudor.
Viable Allegri and Gatti reunion
The personal and professional working relationship between Allegri and Gatti would help to make a potential January transfer for Milan.
Yet Juve's problems, with their defense stretched by a plethora of injuries including Juan Cabal and Daniele Rugani, could mean that the club are reluctant to lose an experienced defender who has become a fan favorite.
However, a player swap for Juventus and Milan next month could prove viable as both clubs are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements to tackle the second half of the Serie A season.
A possible swap for Gatti would be for Milan to offer either midfielder Samuele Ricci, an Italy international, or for Juventus to reacquire Belgium center-back Koni de Winter as part of a deal to send Gatti to Milan.
Pirlo favored De Winter
De Winter came through the Juventus set-up, making 22 appearances for the U23 side. He was called up for the Bianconeri by the then head coach Andrea Pirlo for the Champions League clashe against Barcelona in October 2020, but only warmed the bench.
He made his senior debut for Juventus in the 3-1 pre-season friendly win over Cesena in July 2021, with his first competitive appearance as an 81st-minute substitute during the Champions League 4-0 reversal against Chelsea in November 2021, following by his maiden start for the Bianconeri a month later in the 1-0 triumph over Malmo FF.
De Winter was loaned out to Empoli for the 2022/23 season, and in August 2023 joined Genoa with a conditional obligation to buy for €8 million (US$9.4m). He was snapped up by Milan on a five-year contract in August, but has failed to become a regular under Allegri.
A straight swap involving De Winter and Gatti could occur between rivals in the race for a top four finish. Although it should not be overlooked that Gatti turned down a chance to move to Antonio Conte's Napoli last summer, but having fallen out of favor under Spalletti could prompt him to switch sides.