0 of 5

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Over the last few years Nigel de Jong has been one of the few men who has truly earned AC Milan's storied red and black stripes. The Dutch midfielder has battled the occasional injury since arriving at the San Siro but never failed to turn in a full-effort shift. Over the last season-and-a-half in particular, De Jong has been a bright spot in an otherwise dark period for the Italian giants.

The three-year contract De Jong signed upon his arrival expires at the end of June. In September, the Dutch international told Tuttosport (via Mark Doyle on Goal.com) that he would like to retire a Rossonero, but extension talks have not been made public.

To the contrary, most media reports have revolved around an imminent move. The Independent is one of several British publications that reported last week that De Jong is in talks to move to Manchester United on a Bosman.

With their best midfielder potentially gone next year, what will Milan do to replace him? With the team on a budget and Italian soccer in a general money crunch, the options are not what they once were for Milan.

What can be done to fill the hole De Jong may leave behind? Let's review five possibilities.