AC Milan have reportedly set their sights on Real Madrid youngster Luka Jovic as a potential alternative for injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

According to a report by LIKE, AC Milan are unwilling to sit down and see their current injury crisis which sees Zlatan Ibrahimovic, among many others, sidelined due to a thigh muscle problem. In fact, Serie A executives are considering a move for Real Madrid-excluded Luka Jovic in the upcoming January transfer window.

Seen as a huge failure at Real Madrid, Milan are keen to sign a short-term loan deal with the young striker, with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer. The player was even linked to the RossonerI in summer, although a movement did not materialize.

This time around, however, Stefano Pioli is keen to acquire the services of ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star, who is identified as a potential long-term replacement for Ibrahimovic.

Although the 39-year-old veteran has scored goals for fun in Serie A this season, there have been clear signs of deterioration, especially when it comes to his physical form. Unfortunately for Milan, they lack the services of a reliable long-term alternative, which is why the Rossoneri have struggled recently, in the absence of their star striker.

Luka Jovic has his Real Madrid future on hold. (Photo by Francois Nel / Getty Images)

Ante Rebic, in particular, has been unhappy with injuries while the former Eintracht star also prefers to play a larger role. The same goes for Rafael Leao, who lacked consistency in his play. The Portuguese striker is not a true center-forward either, making Jovic a viable target for Milan.

A product of the Red Star Youth Academy, Jovic is considered a poacher. He knows how to position himself at the right time and has the gift of finding the back of the net. He’s also a technically gifted striker, his skills allowing him to connect with his teammates and navigate the defense using smart doubles.

For Milan, Jovic could also be a fairly accessible target as the Serbian has been linked to a move away from Santiago Bernabeu in the past. His struggles at Real Madrid could still convince Zinedine Zidane to temporarily offload him in January and the Spanish champions may be more than willing to get rid of his for good, if his value increases in Serie A.

While there is no guarantee that the 22-year-old will regain his lost touch in the Italian top-flight, in Milan he will certainly have the vibe as well as the chances of relaunching his career in the second half of the countryside, while moving away from the frustrating surroundings of Real Madrid.