Milan-owned defender Matte Gabbia is set to cut short his loan deal with LaLiga side Villarreal and return to Italy six months ahead of schedule according to Wednesday’s reports.
The 24-year-old jetted off for Spain on a season-long loan deal at the end of July, however, with his parent club now in an injury crisis, particularly at the back, he is expected to return to San Siro upon the opening of the January transfer window.
Milan currently find themselves without senior centre-backs Pierre Kalulu, Malick Thiaw and now Fikayo Tomori as well, leaving 34-year-old Simon Kjaer as the only experienced option at the heart of the defence.
According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Gabbia had immediately expressed an openness to returning to Milan, having registered just seven league appearances during the first half of his Villarreal loan spell.
The Yellow Submarine, however, had initially been apprehensive to allow Gabbia to return early, as they themselves have somewhat of a centre-back shortage.
However, an agreement has now reportedly been reached and Gabbia is set to return as soon as the necessary paperwork is completed, which is expected to happen when the transfer window opens on January 2.