[dst]

Milan set for Ivanovic crunch talks
Wednesday 13 August, 2008
Today could be the day that Milan complete a swoop for Chelsea’s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Rossoneri are looking to swell their defensive ranks and have set their sights on the 24-year-old stopper.

Ivanovic has been told that he doesn’t feature in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first-team plans for the coming campaign and has grown frustrated at his inactivity in West London since arriving in January from Lokomotiv Moscow.

The most likely solution is a loan deal, which will allow Milan to add some depth to their back line for the season and prevent Chelsea from losing a possible star of the future.

The world champions are likely to be offered the chance to make the deal permanent this time next year for a fee of around £10m.

Diavolo transfer guru Ariedo Braida is expected in London within the next few hours to meet with Ivanovic’s agent Marko Naletilic and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon.

A number of details still have to be ironed out, but a deal could be completed within the working day.

channel4

[CrazyMilanFan]

2 days ago gallaini was supposd to be in london and seal the deal

[Tennie]

Ha. True, CMF. But Gazzetta/Mediaset/etc are all reporting what's stated above in the Channel 4 article. Apparently today's the day.

[Jack Sparrow]

dst is here!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Oh happy happy..joy joy...mon ami..mi fratello...Mmmmuuuuaaah! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

mediaset do seem real confident they are talking abt his training with milan will start immdeitly wow let see how it goes

[acid911]

dst is here!!! Oh happy happy..joy joy...mon ami..mi fratello...Mmmmuuuuaaah!

Right. Last I checked he was after your blood, man. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I'd be very careful when and how I laugh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

Oh you must be new here. dst and I have this on-again off-again relationship. R7, Tennie, agenth,Max and Portikins take turns forming this triangle of affection. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, he'll be ours I suppose... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

Who Pana???

Oh yeah...m1ke owns his @$$...and soul too...

[Rossoneri7]

Well, he'll be ours I suppose... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Who Pana???

Oh yeah...m1ke owns his @$$...and soul too...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

everyone says brida will go to london is he in london any source whihc says he is in london???

[Tennie]

None so far, CMF. They all seem sure he's going, though.

[CrazyMilanFan]

None so far, CMF. They all seem sure he's going, though.

that is my concern i am afraid most of them were all sure gallaini will be in london on monday finger crossed for this one

[dst]

Well, he'll be ours I suppose... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

A Croat out, a Serb in... don't like it either.

Who Pana???

Oh yeah...m1ke owns his @$$...and soul too...

I don't bite the pillar, I bite the neck!

[Giancarlo]

A Croat out, a Serb in... don't like it either.

I have no problem with Serbs playing for Milan... I'm sure some remember Savicevic...

[acid911]

Oh you must be new here. dst and I have this on-again off-again relationship. R7, Tennie, agenth,Max and Portikins take turns forming this triangle of affection.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I don't bite the pillar, I bite the neck!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I have no problem with Serbs playing for Milan... I'm sure some remember Savicevic...

Most do. He's not someone that people forget anytime soon. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Tennie]

I have no problem with Serbs playing for Milan... I'm sure some remember Savicevic...

Savicevic is Montenegrin, however. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Giancarlo]

Savicevic is Montenegrin, however. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ah you're right on that one... I was thinking Yugoslavia... Montenegro is independent now too...

[gal_kenny]

Milan should sign Ivanovic already. Now that we have sold Digao and Simic...we should be getting two defenders...Forza Milan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Maybe there's someone better and we're making calculations with Ivanovic? Maybe we want some on permanent? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (this is me dreaming)

[Habitant]

Maybe there's someone better and we're making calculations with Ivanovic? Maybe we want some on permanent? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (this is me dreaming)

come one you really dont like this guy? you dont even rate vidic! he is easily in the top 5 CB in the world. i mean it's not by chance that Man u's def has been arguably Europe's best for the past couple of seasons.

This post has been edited by Habitant: Aug 13 2008, 10:55 PM

[Tennie]

(from the ticker on Mediaset)

Si terrà giovedì mattina l'incontro decisivo per mettere nero su bianco il passaggio di Branislav Ivanovic dal Chelsea al Milan. Arrivato l'ok alla formula del prestito, l'ultimo nodo da risolvere riguarderebbe il prezzo da fissare per il diritto di riscatto del difensore. Fonti vicine alla società rossonera parlano di "ottimismo" per la conclusione positiva della trattativa

[The decisive meeting for Ivanovic's transfer from Chelsea to Milan should be Thursday morning. The loan part has been agreed but there's still some negotiation to do with regards to the right-to-purchase part of the contract. Sources close to Milan speak of 'optimism' regarding a successful conclusion to the negotiations.]

[Giancarlo]

(from the ticker on Mediaset)

Si terrà giovedì mattina l'incontro decisivo per mettere nero su bianco il passaggio di Branislav Ivanovic dal Chelsea al Milan. Arrivato l'ok alla formula del prestito, l'ultimo nodo da risolvere riguarderebbe il prezzo da fissare per il diritto di riscatto del difensore. Fonti vicine alla società rossonera parlano di "ottimismo" per la conclusione positiva della trattativa

[The decisive meeting for Ivanovic's transfer from Chelsea to Milan should be Thursday morning. The loan part has been agreed but there's still some negotiation to do with regards to the right-to-purchase part of the contract. Sources close to Milan speak of 'optimism' regarding a successful conclusion to the negotiations.]

Good to hear... hopefully this deal will be hammered out tomorrow morning.

[GrinReaper]

I hope they don't cancel the deal if they don't get a satisfactory buy clause in the loan deal. I'll be happy if we can simply get him on loan for a season. We really need a CB now. The need is dire.

[Fillipo Simone]

come one you really dont like this guy? you dont even rate vidic! he is easily in the top 5 CB in the world. i mean it's not by chance that Man u's def has been arguably Europe's best for the past couple of seasons.

No I don't like him. Vidic is good. Very good even. But the ball control and technique he has makes me.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif) . And I don't like halflings that much. I like foot-ballers not foot-punchers.

Yeah? He's the best? Canna, Rio, Sandro, JT, Puyol - that's the 5 best. Vidic is not near one of them.

Vidic + Van der Sar + Rio Ferdinand + decent (and more) fullbacks = very good.
Vidic + any other combination not including the above = disaster.

He's a good player but his Achilles heel is to visible. So, nothing special.

[Giancarlo]

I hope they don't cancel the deal if they don't get a satisfactory buy clause in the loan deal. I'll be happy if we can simply get him on loan for a season. We really need a CB now. The need is dire.

If that were to happen, we'd probably get Alex Silva instead... because would be cheaper to buy.

[Habitant]

No I don't like him. Vidic is good. Very good even. But the ball control and technique he has makes me.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif) . And I don't like halflings that much. I like foot-ballers not foot-punchers.

Yeah? He's the best? Canna, Rio, Sandro, JT, Puyol - that's the 5 best. Vidic is not near one of them.

Vidic + Van der Sar + Rio Ferdinand + decent (and more) fullbacks = very good.
Vidic + any other combination not including the above = disaster.

He's a good player but his Achilles heel is to visible. So, nothing special.

fair enough thats your opinion.

thing is theres azzurri canna, and then theres real madrid canna. too diff players really.

and puyol has been mediocre for the past couple of seasons besides the euro.

as far as rio well many united fans would argue vidic is the better of the two, but they compliment each other very well.

[Tennie]

(I don't particularly like MU, and I think Vidic > Ferdinand).

[Ry4n]

Hopefully the deal can be met and we see him on the pitch on sunday for his debut !

This post has been edited by rhy_A4: Aug 14 2008, 01:15 AM

[Giancarlo]

Hopefully the deal can be met and we see him on the pitch on sunday for his debut !

Against Juventus right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Ry4n]

Against Juventus right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

oh yes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) who but the Jail birds (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[jbryant1]

Hopefully this isn't another dumb rumour. Milan need a first rate central defender in this transfer market.

I havent seen much of this Chelsea player but our defense this preseason has looked so dreadful that we have nothing to lose. Its so odd how the management of this team has allowed Milan to go down hill in key areas.

We sold Simic so Milan must be plotting this acquisition.

[Giancarlo]

Hopefully this isn't another dumb rumour. Milan need a first rate central defender in this transfer market.

I havent seen much of this Chelsea player but our defense this preseason has looked so dreadful that we have nothing to lose. Its so odd how the management of this team has allowed Milan to go down hill in key areas.

We sold Simic so Milan must be plotting this acquisition.

Of course. The only way I saw a class defender coming is through the sale of a certain player (I named several, but Simic seem like the obvious choice because there would be buyers).

[acid911]

Irrespective of whether we get him or not, the thing that matters here is the management got enough of a kick in the right place that they are looking to make changes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) That's far more important after how we ended our last season. Remember the last couple of transfer windows, we'd consider ourselves lucky if we signed more than one player. Last summer we only signed Pato, I reckon. We built ourselves half a team this year.

Of course, I'd much rather like we don't fall into these sorts of messes in the first place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) And that's the reason why Ivanovic would be a good add to our squad.

[CrazyMilanFan]

it is blown up
Ivanovic will not go to Milan, or at least this does not happen very quickly: the negotiations between the company rossonera and Chelsea was abruptly interrupted in its final phase due to the question about the end of the loan, scheduled for next June. Gli inglesi hanno infatti chiesto l'obbligatorietà del riscatto del giocatore, il cui cartellino è valutato 12 milioni. The British have asked the mandatory redemption of the player, whose card is valued 12 million. I dirigenti milanisti si sono rifiutati: per ora, tutto fermo. The leaders have refused milanisti: for now, everything stopped.

[CrazyMilanFan]

better tranaltion needed it is from mediaset

[Tennie]

Ivanovic won't go to Milan, at least not in the short term: negotiations betwen the Rossoneri and Chelsea were abruptly interrupted in the conclusive phase due to the question of the end of the loan, fixed for next June. The English asked for the obligatory sale of the player at a 12 million value. The Milanisti refused. For now, everything's off.

Here's the original Italian: Ivanovic non andrà al Milan, o perlomeno ciò non succederà in tempi brevissimi: la trattativa tra la società rossonera e il Chelsea si è bruscamente interrotta nella sua fase conclusiva a causa della questione sulla fine del prestito, fissata per il prossimo giugno. Gli inglesi hanno infatti chiesto l'obbligatorietà del riscatto del giocatore, il cui cartellino è valutato 12 milioni. I dirigenti milanisti si sono rifiutati: per ora, tutto fermo.

[CrazyMilanFan]

i wonder will we look somewhere else or wait for next season

[CrazyMilanFan]

TMW is saying that milan officials are in london and trying to overcome the problem suffered

[acid911]

Good, good. They should be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) If it came to buy-out options, we should just probably have. It's not that Ivanovic is a bad defender.

[CrazyMilanFan]

mediaset extended version of the article belive ( that is what i understood) that the deal is skipped it is not gonna happen

[kurtsimonw]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[agenth]

other sources said we ar enear, but since it's mediaset (the one owned by berlusconi, right?)

i guess we can safely call it a night (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[GrinReaper]

Ivanovic won't go to Milan, at least not in the short term: negotiations betwen the Rossoneri and Chelsea were abruptly interrupted in the conclusive phase due to the question of the end of the loan, fixed for next June. The English asked for the obligatory sale of the player at a 12 million value. The Milanisti refused. For now, everything's off.

Goal.com reports this as the other way around:

Sportmediaset claims The Blues are not willing to give Milan the right to buy the player on a permanent basis and thus everything has gone up in smoke as the Rossoneri wanted the rights as part of the loan move.

Il Diavolo’s directors have now pulled out as a result and it seems as if they will not return for Ivanovic unless they have the right to take him on permanently.

Milan were ready to give Chelsea €2m up front and then a further €10m next year for the defender but the English club do not want to lose their player, a €13m investment in January, and thus the move has broken down.

Conflicting reports, so, I don't know what to believe. But, I guess if both the sources say the move is off, so it must be off (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

everything is off now there is an article on TMw which says that chelsea have told ivanavic agent that he is not for sale

[Tennie]

I might well have got it backward in my translation. Did it very quickly. But yeah, in any event it seems the deal is off.

[acid911]

That's bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Being in the position we are, I'd have welcomed any signing half-world-class. There's bound to be trouble with injuries once the season starts, as if there hasn't been already. I want us to win the league title, and I can only hope the management thinks the same and looks for alternates in both attack and defense.

[Fillipo Simone]

^^ There's no such thing as half-world-class. And to call a kid who hardly was tested in any big match or league a (half) world class player just because Juventus and Milan were after him is a bit...hastily.

I'm not exactly in tears if this deal does not go through after all. I just hope we have a back-up plan, cause we really need another CB in, world class or not.

[Ry4n]

Milan miss out on Ivanovic Thursday 14 August, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seems that Milan’s attempts to lure Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic away from Chelsea have ended in failure.

The Rossoneri are looking for a stopper to act as cover after the recent injury to Alessandro Nesta.

After a series of meetings between Milan and Chelsea officials, a loan deal was expected to be announced, but reports suggest that negotiations have hit a brick wall.

According to Sportmediaset, Chelsea don’t want to offer the Diavolo the option to make the deal permanent next year – a clause that the world champions saw as pivotal.

Milan were reportedly ready to pay £1.8m up front with a further £8.5m to follow in the summer of 2009 if they decided to buy Ivanovic’s full rights.

However, Chelsea paid nearly £12m for the rising star in January and haven’t given up on their investment.

The task for Milan now is to find an alternative at short notice with a loan deal the favoured solution.


Link: Football Italia http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14k.html

[Giancarlo]

As I said we will have to look elsewhere if it fell through and it appears to have happened, and now we have a requirement for another defender because of Simic's sale. It's a pity this deal did not go through. I was looking forward to it, but Chelsea are known to be terrible negotiators. Alex Silva is the first that comes to my mind.

[Portman]

Another failure?

This post has been edited by Portikins: Aug 14 2008, 04:17 PM

[Giancarlo]

Another failure?

Just Chelsea's refusal to negotiate.

As I said, we can easily look elsewhere. This transfer season has been quite successful. Granted some things did not work out (Hugo Lloris, and now this deal)... but everything else has been fine.

[Portman]

Just Chelsea's refusal to negotiate.

As I said, we can easily look elsewhere. This transfer season has been quite successful. Granted some things did not work out (Hugo Lloris, and now this deal)... but everything else has been fine.

They seem to be lovin' making us look like clowns on and off the pitch.

[Giancarlo]

They seem to be lovin' making us look like clowns on and off the pitch.

I wouldn't count on that. We made them look like clowns when they spent all that money on Sheva and he flopped... no one makes Milan look like clowns. Especially not the team funded by dirty Russian oil.

[Tennie]

It must be some strange alignment of the planets or something, but I agree with Porty on this one.

[Giancarlo]

It must be some strange alignment of the planets or something, but I agree with Porty on this one.

Suit it yourself because I would never admit something like that.

As far as this deal is concerned, it's a huge gamble to think of it. This guy hasn't played a competitive match in how long?

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 14 2008, 04:42 PM

[gal_kenny]

WOW..this is very dissapointing..I was really looking forward to seeing Ivanovic in AC Milan. why can't we just pay the 12 mil since it will still rise to that amount and we're gonna pay eventually...Dang Milan...Milan realises that they have to sign 1-2 defenders..We just lost two and one or two must definitely come in..

This post has been edited by gal_kenny: Aug 14 2008, 04:43 PM

[Giancarlo]

I would say either Alex Silva or Thiago Silva (more expensive than Alex)... and buy them outright... I think only one is fine. Darmian can too be in our line-up just in case... I think Darmian is better than Digao in all respects.

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 14 2008, 04:46 PM

[gal_kenny]

I would say either Alex Silva or Thiago Silva (more expensive than Alex)... and buy them outright... I think only one is fine. Darmian can too be in our line-up just in case... I think Darmian is better than Digao in all respects.

Darmian? I really haven't seen him play..and he's still a kid though...The thing with Digao is that he's still not confident and scared...but bak to he topic..do u think Alex silva or Thiago silva is better or at least close to be as good as Ivanovic?

This post has been edited by gal_kenny: Aug 14 2008, 05:00 PM

[Giancarlo]

Darmian? I really haven't seen him play..and he's still a kid though...The thing with Digao is that he's still not confident and scared...but bak to he topic..do u think Alex silva or Thiago silva is better or at least close to be as good as Ivanovic?

Darmian I've seen a few times... I think he's pretty good... Digao needs more playing time and that's what he'll get now.

As far as those two being better... it's hard to say. I really like Alex Silva and he's been quite impressive with the Olympic team. The reason I can't say is that... Alex Silva does get regular playing time, and Ivanovic hasn't. And sadly, Ivanovic won't get any (or much) playing time this upcoming season for Chelsea either. I wish there was a way he could get out of his contract...

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 14 2008, 05:02 PM

[Portman]

I wouldn't count on that. We made them look like clowns when they spent all that money on Sheva and he flopped... no one makes Milan look like clowns. Especially not the team funded by dirty Russian oil.

It's on! It's the blue-revenge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Don't talk about Abramovich and Chelsea's money... we did the exact same thing during the late-80's when Silvio took over the club.

[gal_kenny]

Darmian I've seen a few times... I think he's pretty good... Digao needs more playing time and that's what he'll get now.

As far as those two being better... it's hard to say. I really like Alex Silva and he's been quite impressive with the Olympic team. The reason I can't say is that... Alex Silva does get regular playing time, and Ivanovic hasn't. And sadly, Ivanovic won't get any (or much) playing time this upcoming season for Chelsea either. I wish there was a way he could get out of his contract...

Couldn't he have done that to come to Milan..These days when players sign a new contract, it really doesn't matter

[Tennie]

I'm not sure Ivanovic is good enough for us to get THAT upset about the contract falling through.

That said, Milan DO need another CB, hopefull a good one.

[Zed.D]

I don't care if Ivanovic talks have stalled (he's not the best defender on planet after all, there are alternatives (Alex Silva maybe?)), we have sent Digao and Simic out, someone WILL come, or we're really really really screwed up. I'm sure the management don't want the latter.

Irrespective of whether we get him or not, the thing that matters here is the management got enough of a kick in the right place that they are looking to make changes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) That's far more important after how we ended our last season. Remember the last couple of transfer windows, we'd consider ourselves lucky if we signed more than one player. Last summer we only signed Pato, I reckon. We built ourselves half a team this year.

Of course, I'd much rather like we don't fall into these sorts of messes in the first place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) And that's the reason why Ivanovic would be a good add to our squad.

(Like I_Rossoneri would say) this man speaks the truth (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[armiss]

i only hope that they sign 1 or 2 CB's

[Zed.D]

According to Sportmediaset, Chelsea don’t want to offer the Diavolo the option to make the deal permanent next year – a clause that the world champions saw as pivotal.

I knew something like this would get in the way. pirates. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

I'm gonna chill on this one ... Milan in the closing stages of the transfer window are always shady, but surely they won't leave the team with not enough options in the back, especially after the Chelsea match.

WIndow closes on the 31st , its still the 14th .. almost half a month to go

[Giancarlo]

I'm gonna chill on this one ... Milan in the closing stages of the transfer window are always shady, but surely they won't leave the team with not enough options in the back, especially after the Chelsea match.

WIndow closes on the 31st , its still the 14th .. almost half a month to go

We got the two kids from Uruguay rather quickly... so I don't think it's an issue. I think Milan will get Alex Silva right now... because his costs are much lower... and he can be bought outright.

Was Simic's transfer fee ever published?

[Rossoneri7]

Was Simic's transfer fee ever published?

No, I doubt they let him leave for something reasonable .. They just let him go to the team which appealed to Dario the most.

[Giancarlo]

No, I doubt they let him leave for something reasonable .. They just let him go to the team which appealed to Dario the most.

I'm sure they got a few million out of it... enough to help cover some costs for another move...

[Fillipo Simone]

No, I doubt they let him leave for something reasonable .. They just let him go to the team which appealed to Dario the most.

..speaking of Monaco..they actually now have 4 croats playing there - Pokrivač, Šimić, Babić (Betis) and Jerko Leko. Quite a lot..

Our board will be reasonable enough I hope and bring us the extra defender. There are some back-up options..

[misha]

There's no point to make the deal without the opportunity to fully buy him next summer. Milan is not Chelsea's feeder club.

[Fillipo Simone]

There's no point to make the deal without the opportunity to fully buy him next summer. Milan is not Chelsea's feeder club.

I agree. Why should we try this kid out and if he turns out good Chelsea just recalls him back.

Anyway, I don't think we would have left the negotiations if there was no back-up plan.
Italian medias (tuttomercato I think) are suggesting Thiago Neves allready..

[kurtsimonw]

I agree. Why should we try this kid out and if he turns out good Chelsea just recalls him back.

Same reason why we get Crespo - he helps us become better. If Chelsea recall him, we just replace him next summer.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Aug 14 2008, 11:34 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

Same reason why we get Crespo - he helps us become better. If Chelsea recall him, we just replace him next summer.

Crespo was allready a proven Serie A striker with class. Ivanovic.. is a kid.

[kurtsimonw]

But that's irrelevant really. Surely we'd be even more keen to have a future permanent deal with Crespo as he was already proven is Serie A than with some unproven kid? And since we had no permanent deal in place with Crespo, then there's certainly no need with him.

If he helps us, he helps us. I'd be happy to loan him with no permanent deal.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Aug 14 2008, 11:50 PM

[han2503]

But that's irrelevant really. Surely we'd be even more keen to have a future permanent deal with Crespo as he was already proven is Serie A than with some unproven kid? And since we had no permanent deal in place with Crespo, then there's certainly no need with him.

If he helps us, he helps us. I'd be happy to loan him with no permanent deal.

Exactly, right now the defence is all over the place with our best players costantly getting injured. We should be worried about this season not the one after it. And imo going into the new season with this defence is just asking for trouble. This is really a moment when a quick fix is good enough...

[Tennie]

If we're going for a quick fix and were serious about a good quick fix, I'd like to suggest Panucci. There were rumors a few weeks ago, some saying Milan wanted him and then that his agent denied rumors of a possible move. He's good though aging and he'd be solid.

[Giancarlo]

There's no point to make the deal without the opportunity to fully buy him next summer. Milan is not Chelsea's feeder club.

I've considered that. That's why with a loan deal I wanted the clause put in as much as Milan. We're not a lower table team which gets loaned players from bigger clubs. In fact, for that I'm against any loan deal without the clause put in.

Tennie, Panucci has kept up good, solid performances and may last as long as Maldini age wise... but, we still risk injury because of his older legs. I say we go for a long term replacement... because it would make little sense to spend some money now and then have to spend more just a year or two down the line again.

And plus the last thing I don't want to hear is haters saying "Milan is a retirement club, Milan is where all the old players go to end their careers" blah blah blah... we've done such a great job reducing the age of our team with all these new acquirements.

I do like Panucci don't get me wrong... but I want a more long term replacement.

[Tennie]

I want a long-term replacement too. But Milan has approximately 2 weeks to find one. Granted, the club has a long history of pulling off big signings on the last day of the season (I still remember the mobs in the piazza on Aug 31 2002 when Nesta's signing was announced) but if a suitable candidate doens't present himself, I'd be happy with Panucci even if it would mean the inevitable retirement home jokes. Just...whoever it is, I hope he's good.

[Giancarlo]

I want a long-term replacement too. But Milan has approximately 2 weeks to find one. Granted, the club has a long history of pulling off big signings on the last day of the season (I still remember the mobs in the piazza on Aug 31 2002 when Nesta's signing was announced) but if a suitable candidate doens't present himself, I'd be happy with Panucci even if it would mean the inevitable retirement home jokes. Just...whoever it is, I hope he's good.

Alex Silva is cheap affordable yet very effective replacement, and Milan has shown they can sign young South American players just like that (Viudez and Cardacio). We have extensive connections in Brazil...

At this point I'd consider Panucci too... he plays like someone 5 years younger.

[Tennie]

Silva's good, true enough. I'm just biased on this point (and well aware of my bias): I'd prefer an Italian.

[Giancarlo]

Silva's good, true enough. I'm just biased on this point (and well aware of my bias): I'd prefer an Italian.

Oh trust me I'm biased like that too... but we did have Cafu before as a defender... I don't mind one Brazilian defender... the majority of our defense and midfield are Italian (with exception to Janku and Kakha)... I say we also work on Matteo Darmian to improve his skills...

[Tennie]

Darmian's got real potential as a CB (and to my surprise RB, where he played a couple of times in the U19s). He's been mentioned a couple of times here and there over the last year by both Ancelotti and Maldini as someone to keep an eye on.

The other young defender to keep an eye on is Michelangelo Albertazzi. He's a LB and is just 17 (actually captain of the U17 Azzurini). Played with the U19s this summer and is playing in the Primavera this year, a year ahead of his age. This kid could really be something in a year or two.

[Giancarlo]

Darmian's got real potential as a CB (and to my surprise RB, where he played a couple of times in the U19s). He's been mentioned a couple of times here and there over the last year by both Ancelotti and Maldini as someone to keep an eye on.

The other young defender to keep an eye on is Michelangelo Albertazzi. He's a LB and is just 17 (actually captain of the U17 Azzurini). Played with the U19s this summer and is playing in the Primavera this year, a year ahead of his age. This kid could really be something in a year or two.

I like Darmian and he's quite solid, though Albertazzi I've only heard about to a lesser extent. People say Italy is not producing as many defenders as it used to, but I think there is a new golden era of young Italian players... and I think Milan may have a lot of these players.

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 15 2008, 01:56 AM

[CrazyMilanFan]

they hype which was created by the press and then after all that when it does not happen is no gud but in the end it the the press job.....

[Fillipo Simone]

With Panucci I'd be really satisfied for now as a temporary solution..

[acid911]

With Panucci I'd be really satisfied for now as a temporary solution..

+1 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any good player would be more than welcome to add depth to our defense.

[kurtsimonw]

I'd argue that Panucci is too good to just be depth. I think he's better than Paolo, his performances over the last 12 months have been very, very good. He was one of Italy's better players at the Euro's too.

[I_Rossoneri]

Latest update:

Agent: Ivanovic Wants Milan

The agent of Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic insists that the Chelsea man is likely to wear the Milan shirt next season.

The Rossoneri are looking for defensive reinforcements to back up their brittle and ageing back line.

A fortnight ago it seemed a loan deal for Ivanovic was inevitable, but talks hit a brick wall at the 11th hour.

But Ivanovic’s representative believes that an agreement can be reached before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

“Juventus have asked for the player, but there has been no contact and Branislav has chosen Milan,” Vlado Borozan told Tuttomercatoweb.

“Therefore he will probably be playing for Milan next season. A deal will be done, partly because the player is unhappy.

“The problem at the moment is that Chelsea want four starters in his position and he is the fourth.

“It is difficult to find an arrangement that works for both sides but there is a game to be played and it can be completed.”

Channel 4

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It's all well and good wanting Milan, but chelsea won't let him go cheap.

[Fillipo Simone]

^^ I hear recycling helps the World to be a better place. So,.. they do good after all.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)