AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has approved a move to sign Lazio defender Mario Gila, according to reports from Italy. The Rossoneri have identified the Spanish centre-back as a primary target to bolster their defence ahead of next season, with manager Massimiliano Allegri having personally endorsed the operation. The pursuit is being spearheaded by the club's sporting director, Igli Tare, who originally brought Gila to Serie A during his own tenure at Lazio.
Gila, 23, is under contract with Lazio until June 2027, but is reportedly unwilling to renew his deal with the Roman club. This has alerted several top Italian sides, with Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli also credited with holding an interest in the player. Negotiations are expected to be complex, however, due to the notoriously tough negotiating stance of Lazio president Claudio Lotito and the fact that 50% of any transfer fee would be owed to Real Madrid, Gila's former club. Milan's valuation for the defender is believed to be in the region of €20-25 million, including bonuses.
The move is seen as a strategic pivot for Milan, who have reportedly conceded that a deal for Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae is currently unfeasible due to the South Korean's high salary demands. Gila fits the profile of an experienced and reliable defender sought by Allegri, who values the player's versatility to perform in both a three-man and four-man backline. Tare has been a long-term admirer, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport in December 2024 that Gila is "fast, intelligent, and doesn't make mistakes" and has the potential to become "one of the best three or four defenders in the world."
For the player, a move to San Siro would represent a significant step, with Milan currently well-placed to secure a return to the Champions League next season. The club's project, aiming to challenge for a 20th Serie A title (the second star) in the coming years, is considered a key selling point. Cardinale's directive following recent discussions with the leadership is to support Allegri with a major signing for the defensive unit, alongside a versatile wide player and complementary young additions, without significantly raising the squad's average age.
Gila is not the only defensive option on Milan's radar, with the club also monitoring other profiles such as Thomas Kristensen, but he is considered the primary objective. The potential departure of youth product Jan-Carlo Simic on loan could also open up a further space in the defensive ranks. The pursuit signals Milan's intent to build a competitive squad capable of performing on multiple fronts, should they confirm their place in next season's Champions League.
