Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: han2503 May 25 2021, 09:04 PM

I think we need a fresh start here.

We're back in the CL. There are some glaringly obvious holes that need to be filled in the squad

It's going to be an exciting summer. So what do you guys think should be the first moves to be made by the management?

Posted by: X-Offender May 25 2021, 10:48 PM

My current wish list:

In case Hakan doesn't renew, sign De Paul. Maybe there are better options out there, but I can't think of a great AM that we can afford, and De Paul at least has Serie A experience. Plus I've always admired his combative spirit.

For the left wing, I want Depay. I read that with Aguero's signing and Koeman's possible sacking he's not a Barca objective anymore. He's a free agent, and his wage demands are within our range (I read he was going to earn 5M or something at Barca).

For the right wing, a bit controversial, but I'd like Berardi. He's a player I've always admired, and he just had a great season (17 goals and 8 assists). Another player I really like is Politano. Very, very underrated IMO. Obviously if better options present themselves then by all means go for it.

For the striker, we could either go for the obvious choices (Belotti, Vlahovic), or maybe sign a cheap option (I remember us being interested in Celtic's Edouard a few months ago), and then sign a marquee striker next season after Ibra retires.

Posted by: han2503 May 26 2021, 12:15 PM

Hakan is 99% out from what I'm reading. De Paul would be great but Udine are asking close to 40m for him... Not sure here. It's a lot of money and I don't know if our budget wold allow for it

Belotti or Vlahovic would both be great. Vlahovic imo would be the ideal signing. He has the time to understudy Ibra for a season. And it would relieve him of some of the pressure that the high transfer fee would put on him if he's not immediately pushed into being our main CF. But again, Fiorentina will want an arm and a leg for him. Belotti is someone I've always like but he's almost 28 and wasted too much time at Toro. The same can be said for Berardi tbh. Both have high probability of failing

I think for RW we have to look at explosive players who are quick and creative. I don't think there's anyone in Serie A who fits that bill tbh.

What do you guys think about Muriel and Zapata from Atalanta? Muriel has been amazing all season. Mostly coming off the bench. He's quick, skilful and can play LW and ST. Would be a cheaper version of Depay. And Zapata imo would be a perfect replacement for Zlatan

Posted by: X-Offender May 26 2021, 03:04 PM

I like them both, but they're both 30. Besides, Muriel is more of a second striker. Yes, he can drift wide as well, but in a 4-2-3-1 you need energetic players who can backtrack in midfield all the time. I don't think Muriel can do that. As CF yes, definitely. Same for Zapata. But again, they're 30. I'd rather go for someone who can offer at least 4-5 years of top football.

The rumours around Giroud are becoming very persistent. I hope it's all BS because he's an insanely crap player whom I've never rated. His stats are appalling, and he's 35. Please Paolo, don't make the mistake.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan May 26 2021, 07:05 PM

Don't know if the right thread but conte leaves inter. So this is the financial impact which can be seen. I think there was an article which said inter get like 60 something million from tv rights as league winners and as compared with England sheffield united the 20th place team got 104 million

Posted by: han2503 May 26 2021, 08:05 PM

Wow, didn't know they were that old. Please disregard

Yeah. It's looking like Giroud is almost done. Disappointing to say the least. My main though here is they want someone similar to Zlatan but won't step on any feet. Obviously Giroud is a very poor man's Zlatan but he can do the basic essentials of what's needed in that CF position in our system. My thinking here is they probably want to put off spending big money on a CF until next summer. Especially with both Vlahovic and Belotti possibly becoming free agents...

Let's say we have a 150m budget. We already need to set aside 45m of that for Tonali and Tomori.

I'd extend Dias' deal for another year long loan with a possible buy option. We should do what we can to keep him at a good price imo

We still have some glaring holes to fill. Mainly AM, and RW. Plus we need proper rotation options that are not Krunic and Kalulu if we're seriou about CL next season and not embarrassing ourselves. Plus remaining competitive in the league

Dalot and Meite are going back to their teams. Imo, we need a proper RB and LB cover. We can't keep running Theo and Calabria into the ground. We need a replacement for Romagnoli who could be leaving as well. We need a proper cover player for Kessie and maybe another winger

We have lots of areas that need work. So I can see the logic in pushing the striker issue to the following summer while we still have Ibra tbh


Huge blow for the league in general imo

This is why I was pro super league. And cannot with the English fans who condemned it. English clubs are at a huge advantage over their, Spanish and Italian counterparts. Fans in England were protesting, but you didn't hear a peep out of the Spanish and Italian fans. And for good reason. And when I see Neville fake crying about ruining football, when he works for a corporation that helps create this imbalance, I want to bash his punchable face in

On Inter, it's obvious they were simply thinking short term. Especially last summer's signings put them in a huge hole. Conte is someone who is never happy, no matter what. Thinking of just Milan here though. This is a huge opportunity for us. Especially if Pirlo stays at Juve and Inter get Inzaghi

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 26 2021, 09:08 PM

Giroid is Milan's striker for the coming two seasons.

He's coming for free once Chelsea are done with CL final.

Not excited, but he does bring experience which is something the team lacks.

Posted by: X-Offender May 26 2021, 09:44 PM

I only read rumours regarding Giroud. Nothing concrete yet, but it's very likely that he may sign for us.

Reality check: besides being 35, the guy hasn't scored more than 10 goals in the league in one single season in the last 5 years, and in 12 years of professional football (not counting second division appearances), he's scored more than 20 (21) only once in 2012 for Montpelier. Appalling numbers! Why are we even considering this dud? Very disappointed with Paolo if his signing becomes reality.

Posted by: William405 May 27 2021, 01:04 AM

I think he will be just a rotation player. 3rd option perhaps, he is more than goals, he's good at holding up play and I think he can be a success in Serie A tbh

Posted by: William405 May 27 2021, 01:05 AM

There were rumours that we won't even sign Tonali.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 27 2021, 09:21 AM

Nesta on a Webcam interview: 'Donnaruma? What he did is disgusting he would have become a flag for Milan. To refuse an 8M salary at the age of 21 is disrespectful, what Maldini did is right. I hope he can return this team to its normalcy.'

Di Marzio: 'The will of this management is clear, they want to give Pioli a highly competitive team for next season's competitions.'

Posted by: X-Offender May 27 2021, 12:38 PM

Looks like he's going to Juventus.

https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/juventus/juventus-donnarumma-sempre-piu-vicino-lindizio-e-social_33085973-202102k.shtml

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 27 2021, 05:19 PM

PSG are sniffing around Milan, they have their sights locked on Theo.

Hope he remains. But if the club is presented with something substantial, could be a definitive sale.

Posted by: X-Offender May 27 2021, 08:22 PM

The starters are not for sale. Let's change argument.

Posted by: han2503 May 27 2021, 08:41 PM

You've always insisted on this but how can you be sure.

I think if some ridiculous offers came in, everyone is on the table.

I'd only consider hearing offers over 50m for Theo though, anything les and it's not even worth discussing. Leonardo can f@ck right off! He's done us over one too many times now. There won't be an Ibra + Silva type clearance sale happening anytime soon

Posted by: X-Offender May 27 2021, 08:58 PM

Nothing is certain in life, but I have faith in our management. They wouldn't weaken our team.

I'd consider only +70M offers for Theo. ManCity paid 65M for Cancelo, why should we accept less?

Posted by: X-Offender May 27 2021, 10:10 PM

Apparently 2 years ago Boban offered to Donnarumma a renewal proposal for 8M, which was agreed upon (Raiola included), but Gazidis stopped everything because it was too much...

Heard it on some Italian football show.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 28 2021, 07:34 PM

If true this makes us look less innocent and more stupid. Gazidis especially, who isn't a fan/public favorite anyway.

Giroud is a proven good rotational option. Nothing special but he does the job IMO. If Leao leaves we should invest in another versatile striker/winger. We also need to fill the right wing position with another capable winger.

Rumors on Depay died somehow off.

De Paul is mediocre and uninventive IMO. We need someone more explosive and rhythm/flow giving.

Posted by: X-Offender May 28 2021, 08:20 PM

Nah man, he's far from mediocre. Maybe he's not a true #10, and he might not have De Bryne's genius, but he's an excellent player. Dominant presence in midfield, he can dribble past opponents (which Hakan sucks at), and his passing is also very good.

I'm actually warming up to the idea of signing him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 28 2021, 08:22 PM

Yes, 27 years, Udinese and Valencia experiences,... very promising.

Posted by: X-Offender May 28 2021, 08:26 PM

Why do you always use this parameter to judge players? It means nothing. Watching him on the pitch, that's how you can determine a player's value.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 29 2021, 11:28 AM

I disagree. In this age and day it means much. But I agree. Watching him play is what is crucial. I've watched him several times and I don't see anything special. We sure need an upgrade to Hakan, and not just De Paul.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 29 2021, 11:35 AM

Han I usually agree with you but this time I must say it seems to me that you are not grasping reality. Reading your post one would conclude that this is a highly planned conspiracy against Serie A. But reality check - we're not in the 90s any more. Serie A lost it's appeal.

With Ronaldo leaving Serie A will fall back even further. The worldwide viewership is falling down rapidly. Even the French league has more viewers. The stadiums are in bad shape or falling apart. Fans and fan groups are problematic. Teams are unattractive, not competitive enough, lack true stars or youth. The results of Italian teams in the last decade are appalling. Zero trophies won, no interest in putting an effort to rebuild or restructure the league,...

No wonder Inter earned less then Sheffield. No, it's not a corporative conspiracy, it's just reality, marketing, economy and planning. Serie A are currently on the bottom, and this is deservedly so.

Posted by: X-Offender May 29 2021, 02:02 PM

Let's sign Bernardo Silva or Bruno Fernandes. And maybe Jadon Sancho on the right. And Neymar on the left.

Oh, wait, what was that? We can't afford them?

Dude, we can't even afford De Paul for that matter (asking price 40M). Just who is this enigmatic upgrade to Hakan you're talking about?

Posted by: X-Offender May 29 2021, 02:04 PM

I really don't get this part. How is the FA creating such imbalance?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 29 2021, 03:42 PM

I'm not an idiot. But since you mention Sancho - yes, we should definitively start operating like Dortmund and find ourselves a next possible Sancho. And not a already past his prime De Paul.

Posted by: X-Offender May 29 2021, 07:04 PM

Good luck finding someone as good as Sancho. Dortmund's scouting is on a whole other level.

And De Paul isn't past his prime. He just became 27 this month. Atletico Madrid apparently also want him.

https://sempremilan.com/gds-milan-set-sights-on-possible-de-paul-alternative-who-could-arrive-from-russia-for-e20m

What do you know about him, Fillipo? Croatian, 23, AM, best player of the Russian league this year. On YouTube he looks great.

Posted by: han2503 May 30 2021, 09:52 AM

As you noted I mentioned La Liga as well. Without Real and Barca that league is deader than Serie A.

And I never said that Serie A as a whole does not have self inflicted issues. Most of which stemming from residing in a country where bureaucracy is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Why are the stadiums falling apart? Because they are owned by the municipality and not the clubs. And clubs that have tried to do something about this are faced with a wall of resistance. The French league is even more on it's knees than Serie A. Aside from the language barrier, Serie A and La Liga are not as marketable as the EPL, that is inherently true. But to see people on Sky Sports (UK) lose their sh!t about the SL when they are a big part of the problem is what p!ssed me off the most about the hole thing. The English clubs backed out quickly because the big backlash was mostly coming from their fans and most of those clubs don't need the money anyway.

Same goes for UEFA really. They act all high and mighty about ruining football, when they have done nothing to control what has been going on for the past 2 decades now. Football was ruined along time ago. FFP helped to make the imbalance even greater. UEFA want to implement something like FFP which basically handicaps struggling clubs which don't have a multi-billion pound domestic deal to fall back on while continuing to empowering the richer clubs. Not to mention the BS with PSG and City. Who have continually bent the rules and never got so much as a slap on the wrist. While we were banned for a season.

Add to that, they have never done anything when it comes to salary caps and pulling the leash on these super agents like Raiola, who have become a huge nuisance. Look at what happened with Donna. Had rules been in place which would not allow agents to get anything above a certain percentage off of any deal. I don't think this would have happened.


Sky sports not the FA

Posted by: han2503 May 30 2021, 09:55 AM

That's easier said then done. That being said, I think we're definitely on the right path in this regard

We currently have players like Theo and Bennacer. Who we got for relatively cheap fees and are now worth big money. That's the path we'll have to continue to take. But again, it's not so easy to get on a roll such as Dortmund have. Obviously the scouting department has to be top notch, which is why we got Moncada in who is a highly regarded scout

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 30 2021, 02:42 PM

Vla?ić has great potential, he would be a smart signing.

As for De Paul, let's wait and see. Maybe X-O is right and he turns out good. And yes Han, I also think we're on the right path.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 30 2021, 02:48 PM

I still think it's a much larger issue then just bureaucracy and municipalities. The league as a whole lost quality and reputation immensely. Your comparison with La Liga is completely off man. Firstly, Barcelona and Real are there, so there's no need to say "without them". Then there are concrete results: Sevilla won 3 EL, Villarreal won it this year, Atletico made 2 CL finals. Not to mention Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Good God, even Granada made it to the quarter finals. What are the Italian results meanwhile? Nonexistent. Two lost finals by Juventus and one by Inter in 10 years or more.

Posted by: X-Offender May 30 2021, 11:42 PM

Used Google to translate https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/juve/2021/05/30-82189425/donnarumma_senza_squadra_ora_raiola_fa_lo_sconto_alla_juve, but a very interesting development in the Donnarumma saga.

The full story was published in today's newspaper. The article is from Franco Ordine, in my opinion one of the best journalists in Italy.

In other words, Donnarumma is without a team, and nobody wants him. Perhaps not even Juve. Forget the Barca, PSG etc. rumours. They were probably fabricated by Raiola to put pressure on Maldini.

Interesting to see how this story develops. Because if Dollarumma ends up signing for less than what we offered then it's going to be one of the most epic fuckups in recent Italian football history.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan May 31 2021, 03:44 AM

Basically all teams habe pretty decent keepers. Juve currently already pay sczeny 7 million. No other team will buy him so it is difficult for them to jabe two keepers on such high salaries. Same kind of issues for other teams as well.

I read that our management has given Hakan a week as well to decide on the 4m offer. Otherwise he can goas well.

Posted by: X-Offender May 31 2021, 06:15 PM

Mediaset - Olivier Giroud ever closer to Milan. The 34-year-old, fresh winner of the Champions League and called up by France for Euro 2020, is ready to say yes to a 4 million two-year contract. Milan therefore have discarded the Scamacca and Vlahovic hypotheses. Meanwhile Tomori has been signed from Chelsea and has signed until 2026.

Posted by: han2503 May 31 2021, 09:45 PM

I like De Paul. He's not an explosive player by any means, but he has a beautiful touch and great vision. He'd be an upgrade on Hakan in certain aspects for sure. Only think I'm going to miss from Hakan are his set-pieces. He's improved on them so much this season. I think we have the highest set-piece goal tally in the league iirc I read this somewhere on Twitter.


True. But the problem with Italian teams is that even when we had very strong 2nd tier clubs the EL/UEFA Cup was treated as something lesser. So performances in that competition aren't really much to go by. Obviously the big downfall in the CL coincided with both us and Inter taking a nap for more than a decade now. Napoli, Roma and Lazio were never good enough to compete at that level.

As for why Italian football has taken the hits it has. It's all linked. If the money is not there then obviously you don't have the pull to bring in the stars and without stars you're not going to attract the kind of deals needed to fend for yourself in today's football. Stadiums might not bridge the gap between what Serie A teams get compared to their English counterparts. But it would definitely give a huge push in the right direction. As you well know, your own stadium is a huge revenue stream for any club. Especially us, who have the advantage of being located in a metropolitan city that also brings with it the possibility of leasing the stadium for other events during the off-season


Honestly, wtf knows what he and Raiola have cooked up at this point.

I'm 100% convinced that they thought they would play Maldini like they did Mirabelli. drag this out for this whole summer and squeeze us out when the season is about to start and we're desperate

I saw some comments from Mirabelli dissing our current management. If I could I would slap this guy. It's partly his fault we're in this situation. That 6m contract was always too much


Yep.

Juve is probably his only option. I read that Ter Stagen is also on a huge salary. And I doubt anyone will want to pay that kind of money to Sczeny either so Juve would have huge trouble offloading him. And if Ronaldo is staying, no way they can afford to have another huge salary on the books

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 31 2021, 09:51 PM

What about Chelsea? They can surely do better then Mendy and if the ship off Kepa..?

Posted by: han2503 May 31 2021, 09:52 PM

WE have the following players all returning from loans. What would you guys do with them?

Mattia Caldara
Tommaso Pobega
Diego Laxalt
Andrea Conti
Lorenzo Colombo

I'd personally keep Caldara and send Gabbia and Kalulu on loan this season. If we can renew with Romagnoli, having Caldara, Romagnoli, Tomori and Kjear as CB options would be very good imo. Caldara had so much potential. If only he could stay fit though

Conti and Laxalt need to be sold ASAP. Pobega and Colombo should be sent back on loan. Preferably both to Serie A sides.

Posted by: han2503 May 31 2021, 09:53 PM

I heard Mendy has been doing well.

I don't think Kepa is going to be easy to get rid of for them.

Anyways, we'll see. I'm sure Raiola will make something happen for him. As long as the commission money is there that is

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 31 2021, 09:55 PM

Colombo is too weak for a Serie A side, hell he was too weak for Cremonese.

What good will it bring to sell Conti and Laxalt? Imo we can't get good money out of them, and by selling them we'll be back in the business of searching new rotational options for both fullback positions - in other words - new Conti's and Laxalt's.

Posted by: han2503 May 31 2021, 09:55 PM

Btw

@86_longo: Fikayo Tomori buy-back clause will be paid in more years. The English centre-back will be officially a Milan player very Soon with rightwards arrow above. Another amazing job from the duo Maldini-Massara.

Excellent. His transfer fee won't chip too much of our transfer budget. I read we're going to do the same for Tonali (I think we still have to pay about 25m for him)

Posted by: han2503 May 31 2021, 09:56 PM

Hmm. You want them to stay?

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 12:42 AM

Mendy has been excellent for them. I've seen a few games myself and I've been impressed. They don't need Dollarumma.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 12:46 AM

I know that the club wants to ship Conti and Laxalt. Personally, I wouldn't mind keeping Conti. I've always felt that as a rotational player he's very decent. Laxalt is mediocre and should be sent away. Colombo will definitely leave on loan.

I'm on the fence about Caldara and Pobega. If fit Caldara could be a very decent fourth option, whereas for Pobega I keep hearing very positive things. Personally I'd keep him and sell Krunic.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 12:49 AM

Tonali was originally 10M loan + 15M right to buy + 10M bonuses, i.e. 35M in total. But now it's being reported that we're negotiating with Cellino to lower his demands, and there are good possibilities that he'll accept.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 1 2021, 08:38 AM

I'm rather optimistic on this summer's activity. That said, I wouldn't expect stellar signings, but rather add some experience and quality around the pitch.

How is the club going to deal with Laxalt, Conti Caldara, Pobega and Colombo. Combined they wouldn't fetch the club any noteworthy additions if sold. So I would keep one of them as bench fodder and the rest try to get them off the club's books.

It seems as though Romagnoli wants to renew with Milan, a good sign considering his contract will expire next summer. He would be a great option for the defence and keeping him on would instil stability in that department.

Much work is to be done for the wings and creative departments of the team, also a striker other than Giroud is very much needed. Could the Icardi rumours be true? If so, I am very excited for this one

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 11:55 AM

Screw Icardi. He?s even worse trash than Dollarumma after his behavior at Inter. And Wanda Nara is worse than Raiola.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 03:27 PM

Gazzetta: Romagnoli to renew with Milan.

Tuttosport: Romagnoli has no intention of leaving Milan. He feels the responsibility of being a Milan veteran and the next would be the seventh season with the Rossoneri, with 266 games behind him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 1 2021, 07:47 PM

Yet, Icardi is the best thing we can (probably) get. I think you're missing the point that we ought to bring in extra class, and in our position, this is something that comes with a prize: like Ibra who is old, or like Icardi who is problematic. We can't make a breakthrough by discarding all the Ibra's and Icardi's like you suggest and only bet on the De Paul's.

And yes, Dybala would be a dream. But I read Allegri counts on him.

What about Pjanić?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 1 2021, 07:47 PM

Good to hear this.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 08:56 PM

Personally speaking, I don't like Icardi as a player. Too one dimensional. But as I keep saying, we can't afford him.

Pjanic? Don't think he's an objective, and I don't think we need him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 1 2021, 09:37 PM

Well who can we afford? If we plan on changing Hakan and Donna with just signigns like Maignan and De Paul we're gonna be trashed in the CL in an exceedingly embarrassing manner. Don't get me wrong, Maignan might turn out good and De Paul fine like you two say he is, but we need more.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 1 2021, 10:01 PM

Some say we can't even afford De Paul.

I already expressed my wishes: De Paul, Depay and Berardi. Giroud will probably come as alternative to Ibra, and I assume we're gonna sign another youngster as third CF option.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 2 2021, 11:01 AM

What about this Roback guy? I mean we all treat him as if he has 15 but the guy is 18. Why not give him a shot if he's such a big deal? But yes, we need another option upfront (or do we, since Leao might stay?).

Berardi has been mentioned by the media. I think we're gonna go after him. The Depay rumor cooled completely off.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 2 2021, 12:13 PM

Not caught up on the primavera in all honesty.

Guys like Berardi and De Paul are the best we can go after right now. And I am not sure we can even afford them, inbetween Tonali and Tomori?s purchases, Maignan and other positions, we would have to spend over 100 million...

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 2 2021, 09:38 PM

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 2 2021, 10:34 PM

Well, tell me this guys: do you really think De Paul is that much better then Hakan? Or should we keep the 40-50 million and allocate them into another signing?

Posted by: William405 Jun 2 2021, 10:52 PM

I wouldn't keep Hakan regardless of the situation.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 2 2021, 11:12 PM

That's a good question. Because if you told me that if we kept Hakan it meant signing a top class winger, then I'd be OK with it. But I'm pretty sure that won't be the case, as Hakan renewing will simply mean saved money for the club.

Regardless, I think De Paul is much better than Hakan. Hakan seems like a dead horse in most games to me, whereas De Paul is a never-stopping engine, who offers consistent performances and has better qualities than Hakan in nearly everything.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 3 2021, 01:17 PM

I think Conti and Caldara would probably get us the biggest transfer fees out of all the players in question, aside from Samu that is. I think we could get 15m for him from a Spanish club. So I wouldn't be surprised if they're the first to go.

Re Pobega, he's completely different from Krunic though. Krunic is a jack of all trades and can plan as an AM or a CM or even wider. Pobega is a holding mid. I don't think he's ready to vice for Kessie and Benna though. We should leave him at Spenzia for another year. He's settled there and doing well. No use bringing him back to waste away

Krunic I'd sell regardless. We need much better rotation players if we want to go the distance next season rather then stuttering to a halt mid-way through


I think we'd get 25m or so if we managed to sell all of them for minimal fees. We can't keep letting players go for free. Juve sell their bench warmers for big money every summer. We need to do the same. Even if we conduct such moves shadily to make the books look better (as Juve are known to do), at least it's not for free

Personally, I'd get rid of all of them. The only one that still intrigues me is Caldara but I feel like his body has given up on him.

As for Romagnoli. I'd be very happy if he renews on a similar pay packet he's on now. Maybe a slight increase to 4m instead of the 3.5m he's currently on. We have to have at least 3 starting quality CBs for next season. Gabbia would be 4th choice if he's not loaned and we don't get anyone else in

Please no mention of Icardi here Terrible poacher who would not fit in our team at all. Not to mention the extortionate fees his wife would request


I'd totally take Pjanic for a nominal fee. He'd be a great sub for Bennacer.

I think we all keep forgetting that we'll be without Kessie and Bennacer for nearly a month next season with the AFCON taking place. A proper option has to come in that can pull the strings next to Tonali. And someone with experience would be perfect for that position


I think they're on the same level quality wise. They both have strengths and weaknesses. De Paul has never played for a big team. That's my only hesitancy with him. Hakan had a great year prior to getting Covid and it's no coincidence that his best form coincided with our best run of performances. He and Bennacer are the brains in our midfield. Losing Bennacer and Hakan returning back from Covid out of form hurt our peformances.

If Hakan wants to renew for a reasonable wage. I wouldn't hesitate. The key here is not losing another player for free FFS. We already lost a potentially 70m + player for free. Let's not do that again pls

Posted by: han2503 Jun 3 2021, 01:19 PM

Have ya'll seen the Papu rumours? Personally I'm not happy about this. He's too old and another product of the Gasperini system

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 3 2021, 03:31 PM

Yet surely much better then Samu.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 3 2021, 04:03 PM

Apples for oranges. Samu is a pure right winger, Gomez is a SS/trequartista. But I don't think he's suited to Pioli's system, because the AM role requires to do both phases, i.e. defensive and offensive. Gomez is not somebody who usually tracks back. In fact, the main reason he fell out with Gasperini was precisely that. Plus, he's 32. I'd skip.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 3 2021, 04:05 PM

Pobega is actually a CM who likes attacking. He's not a holding mid. I think he'd be a great replacement for Krunic.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 3 2021, 07:52 PM

Apparently Inter are doing exactly what I would have done if I was Marotta: sell Lautaro (for 80M even) and sign Depay on a free.

https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/inter/inter-colpo-a-sopresa-via-lautaro-per-far-spazio-a-depay_33454608-202102k.shtml

Krunic to stay for next season as well.

https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idnet=bWlsYW5uZXdzLml0LTQxMjU1NA

The alternatives to De Paul are Djuricic and Ilicic.

https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idtmw=1542706

I hope Paolo and co. know what they're doing. Names like Giroud, Ilicic, Gomez etc. are very disappointing to be linked with right now.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 3 2021, 09:05 PM

Indeed. Very disappointing.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 3 2021, 09:52 PM

Pleas let this be true.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 3 2021, 10:24 PM

Hopefully not. I'd still renew his contract, bench him and sell him for good money.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 4 2021, 12:01 AM

Sell him? There are no clubs who want him for free, let alone pay for him. The Donnarumma chapter is closed for us.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 4 2021, 05:15 PM

Giroud has renewed with Chelsea.

Let's take this as a sign to sign a proper striker and not the next has-been.

EDIT: Looks like Chelsea exercised the right of renewal only to avoid for Giroud to sign for an English club. They are willing to release him in case of offers from abroad.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 5 2021, 12:12 PM

Agreed.

All these old has-been names we're linked with scream of desperado Galliani era. I'm sure Paolo doesn't want to go down that road though

I think we've all learned over these last 3 transfer windows since Paolo took the reigns that the press aren't really privy to what is going on. We tend to sign players out of left field rather than the ones we're constantly linked with.

Re Depay. He's probably going to Barca. Inter Need to sell 2 players for that kind of money to really recover imo. Their depths are astronomical, not to mention they have no liquid cash to actually operate. Case in point the unpaid wages. Selling Hakimi only is not enough imo

De Paul looks like he's going to Atletico atm. Sad, but I can't see us splashing 40m on a single player after having just signed Tomori for nearly 30m. We'll have to wait and see. This all depends on what type of budget we have.


If this is true, I'd go back to the table with a 4m offer. We hold the power now, not him. Then sell him when the time is right. This summer most teams are set in the GK department, but I'd rather keep him than let him walk for free which is what's going to happen currently. Even getting 40m for him would be huge for us as all of his transfer fee is a plusvelanza since he's a youth product


We'll see. Giroud is the only player that's acceptable for me from the list of oldies we're being linked with



Papu looks like h's staying where he is btw, and the Ilicic talk has cooled down thankfully

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 5 2021, 02:58 PM

Pretty sure if it came down to a 4M wage Mourinho would easily sign him (Donnarumma) for Roma.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 6 2021, 09:30 AM

This kid Raspadori, have not taken notice of him this season. Though he did score against Milan ...

I'v seen some youtube clips this morning and my oh my, this is the player I want in Milan!

He is even part of the Italy squad going to the Euros, gonna keep an eye on him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 6 2021, 01:26 PM

Yes but the whole point of leaving Milan was to move up. Signing for Roma, Mourinho or no Mourinho, is a step in the wrong direction and Donna surely knows that.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 6 2021, 01:27 PM

I think Mancini cut him, but not sure.

Anyway, agreed. He could be a good target.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 6 2021, 04:27 PM

He called him after the U21 Euros and sent Politano home.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 6 2021, 08:02 PM

No way he'd go to Roma. That's like going back in time to 2015 Milan. Why would he do that?


This


Raspadori is very interesting. Looks like an Aguero type striker (obviously not as polished or skilful but has similar characteristics). He'd definitely be an interesting player to have, though I don't know if he'd fit in our set up

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 7 2021, 06:48 PM

I'm hearing Leao had a underwhelming U-21 tournament with Portugal. What a shocker. But this might finally convince our management it's better to cut the losses now and sell.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 7 2021, 08:38 PM

Leao was purchased for 29.5M from Lille according to Transfermarkt. Shockingly high, if I may say so. So, after two years, his value on our books is 18M. We cannot sell him for lower than that.

But I don't know why our management and Pioli are so fixated with this player. To me he screams trash every time he plays, and he's never going to improve because he has a rotten attitude.

In other news, we've been linked with Zaiych. Meh...

Posted by: William405 Jun 7 2021, 08:57 PM

I was just wanting to ask if we should keep him (Leao)

I mean let's not forget he is 21, and that is super young. What harm can it do to keep him one more year? His value will either go a little lower or really increase if he has a stellar season. I also have the feeling that he will never be a good player, but one more year of him? Why not I would say..

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 7 2021, 09:12 PM

His attitude is not suitable for professional football at the top level. Maybe he can pull that kind of play in Brescia or Bei Mar, but not at Milan.

He's completely unreliable, you never know if he will decide to show up or if the team will play one man down from the start. He's a poor finisher and tactically/strategically very hard to place - not a single position in our system suits him well. If we keep him for another year his value will only drop IMO.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 7 2021, 09:16 PM

My only thought re Leao is: Use him in the De Paul deal

Udine would be perfect for him. I just don't think he'll ever be able to make it at Milan or any other top club for that matter because he's lazy. But a team like Udine can get the best out of him and he'd lower that asking price down by good margin imo

People who compare him to Niang are wrong btw. He's a much more talented player. Niang tripped over his own feet he was so bad. Leao has the raw talent and you can clearly see it. But he will never apply himself enough to truly realise his potential

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 7 2021, 09:28 PM

Agreed 100%.

By the way, what is Bei Mar if I may ask?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 7 2021, 09:39 PM

Isn't there a club in Portugal named like this? Maybe it's one of my brainfarts

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 7 2021, 09:56 PM

Apparently there's a Beira-Mar, currently in the third division. How did you even know about it?

Posted by: William405 Jun 8 2021, 01:18 AM

True. There is always the hopeless romantic in me willing to give youngsters one more shot. The guy clearly has talent.

Posted by: William405 Jun 8 2021, 01:19 AM

Ahahhaah culture

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 8 2021, 02:19 PM

Dollarumma to sign for PSG for 60M in 5 years, i.e. 12M per season.

Gotta say, for somebody who wanted more money, to sign for the club that represents money, it is rather symbolic. What a little man...

Posted by: William405 Jun 8 2021, 02:29 PM

You wouldn't take that offer? ��

We gotta stop stigmatising this.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Jun 8 2021, 03:11 PM

Might be loaned to roma or some other serie a side after he signs for PSG as per some reports

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 8 2021, 03:50 PM

I would take Milan's offer, if I grew up in that club, declared that I was a fan since a little boy, they made me captain, gave me 6M at 18 (plus 1M for my bench-warming brother), and was on the road to become the club's new legend.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 8 2021, 06:45 PM

Reports everywhere that Hakan is inclining to accept our offer and renew his contract, mainly because he has no other interesting offers and that Qatar deal does not motivate him enough.

Now, two things: 1) I really wish we signed a better #10. For such an important role, having someone so inconsistent that (sometimes) plays well against small clubs but disappears against tough opponents is just not acceptable. 2) The fact he's renewing because nobody else wants him shows zero dedication to the Milan shirt.

He has to give an answer before Friday.

Also, Gazzetta today reported on the front page that we're interested in Chelsea's Ziyech. The guy earns 7M and has a high market value (Chelsea payed 40M last summer for him).

Personally, I'm not too keen about him. I keep reading comments that Ziyech is the right profile because he has European pedigree, but guys, at 27 he was playing in the pitiful Eredivise, and has completely failed at Chelsea. Tuchel doesn't even consider him anymore.

I'd rather get Berardi, younger and proven in Italy. And also a starter in the Azzurri.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 8 2021, 08:04 PM

I think Hakan renewing is a good thing. I don't think De Paul would be a huge step in quality from Hakan, In fact if I am not mistakes Hakan has better numbers than De Paul. Plus he comes with certain assurances.

Losing another player for free would have been a big hit financially for us. Plus he's accepting what we've been offering him for months now. So we stay within what we deem is suitable

I'd rather the 40m (if we have it that is) is spent on a RW. Let's not forget we also have a huge problem in the midfield with both Kessie and Bennacer going to the AFCON in January. We have to find someone capable of holding the forth so to speak.


So Hakan staying is one less headache to worry about imo

As for Ziyech, I really like him. I think he'd be perfect for that RW position for us. If the numbers are favourable I'd take him in a heart beat

Posted by: han2503 Jun 8 2021, 08:05 PM

Also, looks like we're close to renewing Brahim's loan for another season. An option to buy will most likely be included.

Great news

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 8 2021, 08:25 PM

De Paul is miles better than Hakan, in my opinion.

Isn't Ziyech more of a AM than a winger?

Posted by: han2503 Jun 8 2021, 08:29 PM

I think both have their strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't say De Paul is miles better. Would I prefer him over Hakan? Yes. But I still think it would be smarter to not lose Hakan on a free and spend 40m on an AM when we need to fill other positions. Hakan is a logical solution that imo is still a good one. Yes last season he dropped off a bit, especially after returning from Covid, plus all the contract talk cannot be easy to block out. I think if he renews, he returns a rejuvenated player

Ziyech can play both positions. But he'd be the perfect RW for us. He's left footed, great at cutting inside, excellent vision (hence capable of playing in the centre as well). If we can get him, we should go all in for him. That's why I think renewing Hakan would be hugely important. That frees up any transfer budget we would have had to allocate for the AM

Plus, we have no guarantees that we'd have gotten De Paul. A. Madrid want him as well and they are in a much better position than us to spend

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 8 2021, 11:50 PM

Let's see what happens.

By the way, looks like we managed to lower Tonali's fee: 15M in total including bonuses (it was 25M initially) and some primavera kid. With the 10M loan from last summer it adds to a total of 25M. Good deal.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 9 2021, 01:05 PM

Calhanoglu on some Turkish channel: "A move to Galatasaray? I'm open to everything. If a good offer comes then why not"

What a mofo! If that's not disrespect towards your current club, then I don't know what it is. You can't renew the contract of somebody who comes out with such idiotic statements.

Please let him go. We're AC Milan, not some random mid-table club.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 9 2021, 05:06 PM

I agree with Han on every aspect here. You vastly overrate De Paul.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 9 2021, 07:23 PM

Perhaps I do, but maybe because I think Hakan is very, very mediocre.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 9 2021, 07:59 PM

It's some 3rd rate Turkish outlet. Obviously they want to make things look favourable for the Turkish club

Let's not lose any hair over this

We'll see what happens. But if Hakan doesn't renew, that's an added problem over the already existing ones we have. Plus losing money on another free agent situation. We already lost 60/70m on a potential Donna sale. I'd rather not add to that tbh. We can always sell the following summer and upgrade then. Hopefully we'll have a CL season under our belts with another on the way so we'll be in a heathier situation to replace him

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 9 2021, 08:23 PM

It's partly about losing money. But what worries me even more is that we're heading in the wrong direction: by losing Donna and Hakan we surely become weaker and not stronger.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 9 2021, 08:46 PM

Depends who you're replacing them with. Maignan might not be better than Dollarumma but he's still a very reputable GK. Also, the GK position is not like the others. If you have a top class CF and then switch to a really good CF, the difference is too obvious. But if you switch from a top class GK (if Dollarumma is even that) to a very good GK then it's more or less the same.

For the AM position, if we sign De Paul or Zeiych, it's obviously an upgrade.

So, say, Maignan and De Paul/Zeiych for Dollarumma and Calhanoglu for me is an obvious upgrade.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 10 2021, 12:36 PM

De Paul and Maignan for Hakan and Donna is a downgrade on almost every aspect if you ask me. Ziyech is another question mark, and he does not occupy the #10 spot (or at least that's how I remember him from Ajax?).

But well, let's wait and see.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 10 2021, 12:58 PM

Gkeeper situation aside, think the summer transfer window hasn't really started for Milan.

Maybe there are targets who are participating in the Euros (maybe not). But I am not restless about this, have this feeling Maldini has a couple names not yet revealed.

That said, I appreciate the stance the club is taking with the players leaving on free. It is a new management and they are setting a precedence for future transactions, Raola has been warned I believe

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 10 2021, 05:04 PM

You honestly think Maignan instead of Dollarumma is that much of a downgrade? I mean, the Italian is great and all, but let us not forget that he is also been prone to howlers and mistakes very often over the years that have cost us dearly. Think of Milan-Udinese or Milan-ManUtd this season, for instance.

And well, De Paul is clearly superior to Calhanoglu. Maybe by a little, maybe by a lot, but overall he is the better player.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 10 2021, 05:15 PM

Rumors about a Romagnoli - Junior Firpo swap with Barcelona.

Now, I get that we need a decent Theo backup, but if we let go of Romagnoli we need to invest in a quality third CB. We cannot think to go into next season with guys like Gabbia, Kalulu and Caldara as our subs.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 10 2021, 07:23 PM

Donnarumma leaving forfree doesn't look good for us, but in a purely footballing sense. It doesn't matter much imo. We've never been a club who has had top class GKs. Even during the heights of our success. A keeper is important, but not by that much imo. Donnarumma was extorting this club. His and his brother's wages are going to free up 14m just for next season. And had he renewed, even without his brother, it would have been 16m gross we'd have to set aside for the next 5 years. Not to mention the signing on bonuses him and Raiola wanted

I say good riddance. And in the long run this is going to be much more beneficial for us.

Re Hakan, the situation is more complicated imo as it's not so easy to replace him with someone who will easily slot into the system and offer what Hakan does. And we rag on him a lot here but Hakan is not simply about the goals and assists. He contributes a lot in terms of build up, dropping deep, pressing, etc. He's a hard working midfielder.

De Paul is the only one who I can think of who can do something similar and Udine are asking a lot for him. I honestly cannot see us splashing 40m on anyone this summer


Agreed. The Euros are definitely going to set the market back a bit.


If Romagnoli goes to Barca it would have to be cash + Firpo. No way it would be a direct swap

But again, this is the same situation as with Hakan. It will create another problem for the management to solve. We'd have to replace him, and we can't spend big money on a CB. I think having a 4 of Kjaer, Tomori, Romagnoli and Caldara is very good. Selling Romagnoli will cause more issues than it solves.

Obviously if he's going o cause problems with his renewal as well I'd rather sell him now rather than face the debacle we are going through with the others

Management better settle contracts this summer. Kessie, Calabria, Theo, Bennacer all need to be locked down on long terms deals. Letting all these contracts run down so much has created huge problems. This is the only area where I am critical of the new management

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 12:11 AM

Bro, come on. He drops deep and presses? That's what he's paid to do. I dunno about hard working cos to me Hakan is the definition of a lazy player, but setting that aside, the guy is our #10. You do realise the weight such position holds. Yet this season he only collected 4 measly goals and 10 assists, 6 of which from set pieces.

His contribution to our success has been minimal. I can only hope that if he renews he'll have his mind set and be more focused. But I really don't like the quality of what he brings to the table.



Agreed. If a player doesn't renew their contract then just put them on the market. Simple as.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 12:39 AM

https://football-italia.net/sweden-coach-ibrahimovic/

I have a feeling Giroud alone won't be enough for next season. Zlatan's problem with his knee is quite serious, especially at his age. He's definitely going to miss even more games than this season.

I really hate that almost every big club in Italy has a 20-goal striker, yet we haven't had one since Zlatan in 2012. It's quite pathetic, really.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 11:57 AM

Calhanoglu in press conference: "Maldini called me 3 days ago. I told him my priority is the Euros. Nevertheless, the main responsibility in this matter is theirs".

I'm done with this tw@t! Who the f*ck does he think he is?? He should be honoured to be wearing our glorious #10 jersey. These intimidatory comments are out of this world. Mr. Calhanoglu lives in another reality where he thinks he's Gullit or Maradona or something. Overrated piece of crap!

Pretty sure he's waiting for the Euros to be over so if he performs well other clubs will start bidding for him. The disrespect, man!

EDIT: Oh, and here's the https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idtmw=1545487, in case Han thinks it's from some 3rd rate Turkish outlet.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 11 2021, 01:29 PM

On Donna: I think it's completely irrelevant if historically speaking Milan had great keepers or not. Dida was at his best when we were at our high, Rossi was a record breaking keeper (did anyone surpass him?). From what I've heard Galli was more then decent as well. But all this doesn't matter now. Because Milan does not have a single world class player like before (do I even have to start pulling out names like Gullit, van Basten and Seedorf?), no supertalent (Maldini, Albertini,...) or potentially really great player. What we have is very good to good players and on top of this was Donnarumma leading the new generation. I was all against him taking the captain's armband. I know he behaves strangely. But I'm not here to judge on how exactly he behaves because frankly I don't know enough. We were first led off to believe Raiola is the main culprit and scumbag, now things made a complete U-turn and all of a sudden Donna is the scumbag and Raiola did evidently nothing spectacularly immoral.

I'm not letting myself fall into the habit of becoming moral police here. As I fan i dislike Donna's supposed behavior but I won't act like it's getting us better or stronger to lose him. This will be the first time in decades Milan does not have a single Italian player in the NT roster. Counting even the worst days under Mihajlović or Inzaghi. We have no suitable captain in the team (other then perhaps Kessie, but I would not put that extra pressure on his shoulders). We signed Maignan for a suspiciously low fee and have a rusty and inadequate backup keeper. Now I hear we even decided to promote Plizzari as our 3rd option. Well.. this all makes me not celebrate Donna's departure. Maignan might turn out fine and my worries turn out to be unnecessary. Let's hope this happens.

The only thing I'm disagreeing here with you is the shocking manner in which you still regard #10 as important. That number died off with most teams. If you ask me who's the #10 at the top 5 clubs in the world right now I'd struggle. And especially Milan tarnished both #9 and #10. Who got the #10 after Seedorf? I struggle to remember. Was it Bertolacci? Boateng? Honda? The legacy is long gone and compared to the mentioned players, Hakan is miles away.

I get your criticism though and agree with you. Just that I don't see any alternative which would make a substantial upgrade.


Agreed. Yet I think we should sign someone young a fresh. Not Belotti and maybe not Vlahović because he seems the typical Piatek kind of inflated signing. Perhaps we could lend Leao to Marseille and ask for Milik in return?

Posted by: han2503 Jun 11 2021, 06:04 PM

What he said is that he respects Paolo and Massara and he'll give priority to Milan. Again, the translation makes it seem worse than it is

Am I happy with what he's doing? NO! But all this drama is unnecessary. I'd rather he just say he wants to leave so we can work on getting a replacement. It's obvious that he wants to shop himself around

The fact that we have not done the same to him as we did with Donna though leads me to believe that we are reluctant to dip into the market for a replacement for him. Once again, for me, him leaving would just create more issued. And I know you have your heart set on De Paul, but I think our chances to get him are pretty low. I don't think we'll be able to replace Hakan adequately.


For me, best case scenario would be he renews, we spend our transfer budget on more pressing issues. Think about replacing him next summer.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 11 2021, 06:10 PM

Filippo I agree with you, but my point was that we never had an iconic keeper like Juve for example with Zoff and Buffon

Our keepers were in the good category imo, but nothing spectacular.

Am I happy we lost Donnarumma? Obviously not, but his situation was not sustainable for us. We can offer that kind of money to a proper star outfield player like Dybala for example. It would make much more sense than giving it to a keeper, no matter how good he is

Magnan looks great from what I've seen of him. Lille are also owned by Elliot so there could be things going on behind the scenes we don't know about



As for superstars in the side. I think Theo, Tomori, Kessie and Bennacer all have the potential to be that

Kessie especially is really being talked about right now, especially in EPL circles. That's why it is hugely important to lock him down on a long-term deal

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 09:32 PM

It's so sad to see Locatelli and Cristante playing for the national team...former Milan youth products..we add Donnarumma to the list now.

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 09:32 PM

Hakan has been terrible for Turkey today. Uninspired.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 11 2021, 10:23 PM

Yep. We've let so many good youth players slip through.

Cristante I've never been a huge fan of. But Locatelli was idiotic. Now he's worth 40m.

Calabria should be in this squad though. He's been the best RB in the league all season. Florenzi, Emerson, and Di Lorenzo don't come anywhere close to him.

Spinazzola is insane on the left though. A really good player.


To be fair to him Turkey didn't have a sniff at the ball.

But glad to see his plan to show himself in the shop window is going well...

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 10:38 PM

Spinnazola was amazing i agree

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 10:50 PM

I don't get why you keep defending him. The guy's acting like a complete tw@t. He said that the ball is in our court for the renewal, meaning give me what I wanted or f*ck off. There's nothing lost in translation.



Actually, Lille are owned by Merlyn Partners SCSp.



Meh. Cristante is mediocre, even Roma fans admit it. Locatelli is insanely overrated.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 10:51 PM

There are rumours circulating that Zlatan might need to undergo surgery, and in that case his career might be over...

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 10:52 PM

They didn't have a sniff of the ball, but come on as a leader you have to show something more. Italy are looking pretty good?

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 10:53 PM

I'm not worried with Zlatan, if his career is over, I'm sure he is ethical enough to cancel the contract. But that is sad news

Posted by: William405 Jun 11 2021, 10:56 PM

Locatelli overrated? Maybe? But he js still pretty good. Have to admit we don't really need him with Kessie/Bennacer/Tonali.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 11 2021, 11:13 PM

Hakan played? Didn't notice it.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 12 2021, 12:17 PM

In other words, we're royally fucked. No trequartista, no right winger, no center forward. Sixth place here we come again.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 12 2021, 03:19 PM

Because he's still our player and as I said multiple times, I'd prefer if he renews. And that's is not what he said btw

I agree that he's being a little b!tch but sorting this out by him renewing would be what is best for us going forward

I thought Elliot were part of the Lille ownership in some way...

Agreed on both Locatelli and Cristante. My point here is that he would have been OUR overrated player worth 40m.


Still, you have to take into account that the Turkish team simply could not play out. The entire midfield was basically stifled out

Italy were great. Macini has done wonders with that team. They play beautifully and effectively as well


I'd only want him so we could sell him for big money



Anywhoo, Embolo looks great today. Would he be a possible cheap option if the Ibra problem is as big as they're saying it is?

Posted by: han2503 Jun 12 2021, 03:20 PM

This is why we need Hakan to renew. We're already juggling lots of problems. An added one of having to bring in an AM is not needed this summer

Anyway, I'm not that worried about the Ibra situation. If he can't continue, he'll bow out gracefully. We just need to be creative on the transfer market. There are striker options we could look at who could come on loan for the first season.


Belotti would still be my first option. He'd be ready to come in and start next season

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 12 2021, 04:28 PM

We should go for Belotti, I agree. He's worth now, what, 25 million?

The problem is that this management acts like a bunch of cheapskates, or as Italians would say, morti di fame. I look at Chelsea spending 80M for Havertz or Atletico willing to splash 80M for Lautaro, yet we can't even spend 35M on someone like De Paul. We contemplate about spending 28M for someone essential like Tomori.

I read somewhere that our budget for this summer would be 70M. How the hell can you make a mercato with 70M? That's only one player's worth. Unless of course you want to act like Cagliari or Sampdoria and buy 3rd rate players.

I guess my question at this point is: how do we intend to build a competitive team by being so reluctant to spend?

Posted by: William405 Jun 13 2021, 01:15 AM

Who saw what happened with Eriksen?

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 13 2021, 01:44 AM

Yeah, quite terrible and shocking. Thankfully he's all well now.

Great leadership by Kjaer by the way. Everyone's talking about it.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/football-world-lauds-hero-simon-kjaer-after-christian-eriksen-collapse/news-story/23248f60993617b333a70d038f17e429

Posted by: han2503 Jun 13 2021, 09:14 AM

Kjaer showed true leadership in that moment.


Anyway, hope Erikson recovers fully. Can't believe they played that game when they did tbh.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 13 2021, 10:20 AM

So proud of Kjaer right now.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 13 2021, 04:08 PM

Everyone campaigning for him to be our captain next season. And personally I can't think of a better man for the job

A true leader and a great man. Not to mention him being one of our best players since he came last year

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 13 2021, 05:12 PM

https://bulinews.com/news/8787/report-milan-have-eyes-for-embolo

He cost Borussia 11M two years ago. Current market value is set at 16M.

I saw a few moments of him yesterday and he did look good indeed.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 13 2021, 08:41 PM

Watched the entire game. He looks really good. Great at holding up play, good with his feet, good vision, quick. He'd be a perfect replacement for Ibra on the cheap


Anyone watching this Netherlands game against Sheva's Ukraine? The most erratic game so far. Both sides look like they can concede bucket loads of goals against an organised side

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 14 2021, 04:04 PM

Embolo is like Leao. Useless most of the time with some flashes of brilliance.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 14 2021, 07:22 PM

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 14 2021, 07:45 PM

Speaking of Leao, looks like Maldini met with Jorge Mendes. He has a couple of offers from England, namely Everton and Wolves. We value Leao at 25-30 million.

Here's to hoping.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 14 2021, 08:28 PM

We shouldn't low ball it. If English teams are in for him ask at least for 35m. I like Leao, and it will be sad to see him go, but he's never going to become what we need him to be imo.

Looks like we're going to be prioritising sales along with sorting out the current loan deals

@NicoSchira: Cagliari and Hellas Verona are interested in Mattia Caldara, while Andrea Conti is courted by Genoa. Udinese are monitoring Tommaso Pobega. Wolfsburg and Watford are in the race for Jens Petter Hauge.

Laxalt to Moscow pretty much official. We're actually getting money for him. 4m which is not bad considering we usually let players like him go for free

Conti is definitely out
Caldara I'd like to see us give him a chance, but if something decent comes in, he's gone
Same situation with Pobega. If a good offer comes, he's gone. Or I can see us using him in a deal. Especially if Udine are interested
It would be really sad to see Hauge go, but Pioli doesn't seem taken by him and since Brahim looks like he's staying, I can't see Hauge getting too many chances considering we're looking to buy another winger


As for the players we have on loan

Tomori is basically a done deal. 28m total
Tonali as well. We'll pay Brescia another 10m this summer and potential add-ons of 5m (really good work to reduce this to 25m total rather than the initially agreed 35m)
Brahim seems like we're close to agreeing a deal with Real. Another year loan with an option for 20m being mentioned.
It also seems like we're trying to do something similar with Dalot

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 14 2021, 11:01 PM

Can't see anyone spending 35M for Leao. Personally speaking I'd be extremely happy with 25M.

Thing is, if we let go both Leao and Hauge we're left with only Rebic on the left.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 15 2021, 12:56 PM

It is still too early to say who is coming and who is leaving.

What is a certain so far, Tomari and Tonali are affirmed.

The pandemic has put pressure on all clubs, so I'm not expecting big money transfers this summer. That said, think Milan have some names in mind and will do their utmost to secure them.

What this team needs the most is some experience.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 15 2021, 02:24 PM

Looks like the Tonali deal might fail. Maldini had an agreement with Brescia for 15M but Elliott do not want to spend more than 10M. It is being reported by Mediaset and other outlets.

I am so disappointed with our signing campaign thus far. Not so much about the fact we have not signed anyone but rather the attitude we keep displaying. Acting like a bunch of cheapskates even for 5M. It reminds me of the last Berlusconi years?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 15 2021, 03:40 PM

You think clubs/managements act that way voluntarily? Berlusconi splashed money all around us when he was able to. In the last years he just run out of it. It seems to me that Milan is in a similar position. This is why a hedge fond isn't a ideal owner. I think our owners are taking COVID-19 and everything around that into considerations and want to play it financially and economically safe first. Maybe they're even willing to risk the sporting results here.

Look at what happened at Inter.

With Donna gone for 0 cash, Hakan on his way out for free as well, with Ibra maybe not returning, I must say I don't see us doing well.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 15 2021, 07:08 PM

Aston Villa signed a midfielder for more than 30m. EPL clubs have money. So if anyone from that league comes for any of our players we should always start high because in most likelihoods they'll be willing to pay

Unfortunately we do not have money to splash around right now.

I'm personally not worried about Tonali. We'll get it done

I'm more worried about having anything to spend for that RW and getting someone else to cover Kessie. The AFCON is going to absolutely cripple us in January if we don't find someone good

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 15 2021, 07:24 PM

Unlike popular belief, we are in a very stable financial situation. First and foremost, we have only 104M of outstanding debt. For reference, Inter have 630M, Juventus 458M and Roma 552M. We have no problems of liquidity whatsoever and an ownership that can freely pump in capital. Since Elliott's takeover, they have injected 650M in capital. We've also reduced the wage bill considerably.

Our main issues derive from revenues, especially commercial and sponsorships. That's where management has failed thus far, but the frequent change in ownership over the last 5 years clearly has not paved an easy path for a clear plan.

Given our minimal debt, the fact that FFP for the time being has been suspended and its future implications remain uncertain, I see no reason why we should continue acting as if we have a knife by our throats when it comes to spending. Especially since we hit a milestones after the Champions League qualification, and this is the precise moment for investing and strengthening our roster. Otherwise we run the risk of not making top 4 next season again.

And since you mention Inter, let me just say that what happened to them is completely unrelated. Inter were very unlucky. Since Suning's takeover, thanks to an excellent business plan, they managed to increase commercial revenues from a mere 39M in 2015 to 145M in 2019 (https://www.calcioefinanza.it/2019/10/29/bilancio-inter-2019-ricavi-costi/). Overall revenues in 2019 were 417M against Milan's 228M.

Why did I say unlucky? Because partly due to Covid, but especially due to the restrictions that the Chinese government imposed on foreign investments last year, Inter suddenly found themselves unable to sustain their business model. Now, I don't know all the details, but just look how commercial revenues decreased from the 145M in 2019 I mentioned earlier to 82M in 2020 (https://www.calcioefinanza.it/2020/11/30/inter-bilancio-2020-ricavi-costi-plusvalenze/). Net losses went from 48M in 2019 to more than double in 2020, at 102M. Add to that the accumulated debt most of which, if I'm not mistaken, was inherited since the Moratti and Tohir years, and you've got severe clash flow problems, and the need to cash-in as quickly as possible from the sale of 1-2 top players.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 15 2021, 07:52 PM

I think the goal is to remove the majority of those losses though

I don't think we're going to see any splashing of the cash. Certainly not this summer. We're most likely going to improve the squad enough to ensure we stay in the top 4, but nothing highly ambitious

Until we have a few CL seasons under our belts it's still going to be lean times at Milan

I'm personally not worried. Because I never really had any dream of making big transfers, certainly not this summer. Paolo has pulled off transfers like Theo and Bennacer out of nowhere, and that's where the focus will remain for now. Unfortunately that is all we can look forward to at this current time


Anyway, De Paul to Athletico done for 35m

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 15 2021, 08:53 PM

Define big spending. In this day and age, 35M is not big spending. It's a relatively fair price for a very good player. But we can't even afford, or rather, are unwilling to splash any decent amount of money for key areas that need urgent spending. Hence why we were so easily beaten by Atletico who, after their first 20M offer was rejected, simply met Udinese's demands and closed the deal.

Now, I know the summer transfer campaign has only started, but the overall feeling is not good. I'm very worried, because we're getting weaker and no way we're going to make top 4 again with this squad. That is absolute.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 15 2021, 11:50 PM

Yes, agreed. I'm also very worried. We're not going the direction to ensure CL football for a few seasons but the opposite direction. Napoli just got stronger with a clever and able coach. Juventus should also be back on track and the way I see it, Lazio and Roma will also be stronger. Inter (because of obvious reasons) and Milan are the only two clubs that are looking to be weaker come next season.

Oh and by the way - are we all on board for signing Tonali? Would it be the end of the world if the deal does not go through? Just asking...

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 16 2021, 09:36 AM

That wouldn't be very smart, simply because with CL and the African Cup in January, we need to have 4 quality mids in the center. And we all know how much a good mid costs these days.

At least with Tonali (who is still very young and a future investment) we'd only have to look for one more. Moreover, we've already paid "half" his value, so letting him go would be a loss if anything.

Let's not forget that his loan spell ends in two weeks, meaning if we don't finalise things by then, then he becomes a full Brescia player again.

What truly pisses me off is that we had a contract with Brescia last year: 10M loan + 25M redemption (including bonuses). They lowered their demands last week for the redemption part to 15M, yet now we're acting like little bitches and want 10M. If I was Cellino I'd tell us to f*ck off.

I keep hearing that we want to save as much money as possible, that even 1 little million can make a difference. Are we that desperate???

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 16 2021, 11:42 AM

We've made an official offer for Amine Adli: 5M. Toulouse want 7. There's a good chance the deal will be finalised soon.

Saw a few bits of this guy on YT. Honestly he looks like one of those players that will be eaten alive by Italian defenders.

Posted by: William405 Jun 16 2021, 08:27 PM

Italy are excellent this year.

Posted by: William405 Jun 16 2021, 09:12 PM

Locatelli is a beast..so sad..

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 16 2021, 10:34 PM

Their pressing is insane.

Posted by: William405 Jun 16 2021, 11:44 PM

Yes, what a joy to watch. I have to say I didn't really like Mancini as a coach ,but he's done wonders here to nuild a very solid team. Ofcourse the big challenge will be France, who with Mbappe can kill you on one counter..but that is football.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 17 2021, 09:37 AM

How so?

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 17 2021, 11:00 AM

What do you mean?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 17 2021, 11:04 AM

Why are we so stingy all of a sudden that a mere million or two make a difference?

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 17 2021, 12:39 PM

No clue. I really do not understand how this ownership reasons.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 17 2021, 01:00 PM

Another disappointing performance by Calhanoglu yesterday. Gazzetta gave him 5.

Watch him come crawling back to us as nobody wants him anymore. Little f*cker.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 17 2021, 02:48 PM

And yet we do not have any good alternatives.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 17 2021, 03:36 PM

Unfortunately. Calhanoglu is mediocre, but at least with him renewing we can spend more money on the attackers.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 17 2021, 04:16 PM

Maybe Maldini and Co have a few aces in their sleeves left. Because all of the names and sums mentioned make me think 2021/22 will be very embarrassing comeback and a step back in the wrong direction.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 17 2021, 08:36 PM

Good strategy for him to wait it out

And yeah, re the Azzurri and Mancini. I've been an Italy supporter for as long as I can remember and have never seen such play. The only thing to come close was Lippi's team before the world cup of 06 and even that team was nowhere close to this high intensity play. Really beautiful football. They look like a club side who have been playing and training together everyday for years. So sad that Calabria didn't make it into this team. He would thrive here and is head and shoulders above both Florenzi and Di Lorenzo



Re the transfer market. I think we should calm down before panicking. I don't think we're going to do any serious business before the Euros are over. At least that's my thinking. They're probably going to concentrate on sales and the loan deals until then

Re the De Paul stuff, I honestly don't think we were ever really that interested and it was the media making it out as such. Unfortunate, but I think they know Hakan will renew, so there's no use going in for a player like De Paul

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 18 2021, 10:26 AM

I'm not worried about the waiting, I'm worried about the overall feeling I'm getting thus far: mediocre names and little spending. If somehow after the Euros we'll start splashing big bucks on big players then fine, but I don't think that will be the case.

We simply can't be happy with only guys like Giroud and Adli in attack. We need at least two important names.

In other news, Tomori is now official.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 18 2021, 03:56 PM

But if you're expecting big bucks to be splashed then you're setting yourself up for disappointment...


I think we need to lower our expectations a bit, this is going to be a mid-level transfer window for us.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 18 2021, 05:12 PM

Define mid-level. Tomori, for instance, at 28M for me is a mid-level signing. So, I expect at least a couple of signings in attack at that range per player.

Because it's impossible in this day and age to find valuable players for 15-20M like it used to be in the past.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 18 2021, 05:22 PM

Zlatan just had knee surgery today.

In these cases it takes at least 2 months to recover...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 18 2021, 07:42 PM

This will end badly.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 18 2021, 08:57 PM

I personally don't think we'll get anyone else with that kind of price tag tbh

We're going to go after lower profiles with potential high return on value.

15-20M is our range atm. I personally don't think that's a travesty, it's just a matter of how well you use the money you have not on how big a given transfer fee is.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 18 2021, 08:58 PM

We simply have to let go of this Giroud stuff and go after a younger profile

Belotti is there for the taking, just get him

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 18 2021, 09:02 PM

Name me one valuable striker and one valuable right winger for 15-20M each. I'll wait.



I don't understand. You say we won't get anyone else for Tomori's price tag yet you say we should sign Belotti who has a market value of 35M.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 18 2021, 09:34 PM

Like I said, we'll have to be creative with what we have


No way Belotti goes for that much. Toro are not in the driver's seat anymore. He's on his last year and if they're pushed and Belotti wants to leave, they will have to accept lower than that

There are not teams outside of Serie A who will want him and there are no teams in Serie A who can brandish that kind of money. So that doesn't give them much room to demand anything. 20-25m would be more than enough for him

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 18 2021, 10:19 PM

Belotti is Cairo's most valuable player. You honestly think he'll let him go for peanuts? Just a quick https://onefootball.com/it/notizie/belotti-juve-futuro-dopo-leuropeo-cairo-fissa-il-prezzo-33199660 and you'll see that he values him at 35M. Maybe he can go for 28-30, but not less.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 19 2021, 10:29 AM

The value of a players is dependent on how much other clubs want him

Milan can stick a 30m tag on Krunic, that does not mean that anyone will pay it


The facts are this.

There are no clubs outside of Italy who want Belotti. Only EPL teams and PSG are willing to pay big sums at this point in time. Not even Barca or Real or going to be going in heavy this summer

The club in Italy who do want him (probably only Roma and us could be interested, Inter, Juve and Lazio are set in that department) won't go anywhere near that price tag


So tell me how Toro are going to get that kind of money for him

25m is the max he'll go for and those extra 5 will be bonuses.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 19 2021, 10:29 AM

The value of a player is dependent on how much other clubs want him

Milan can stick a 30m tag on Krunic, that does not mean that anyone will pay it


The facts are this:

There are no clubs outside of Italy who want Belotti. Only EPL teams and PSG are willing to pay big sums at this point in time. Not even Barca or Real or going to be going in heavy this summer

The clubs in Italy who do want him (probably only Roma and us could be interested, Inter, Juve and Lazio are set in that department) won't go anywhere near that price tag


So tell me how Toro are going to get that kind of money for him

25m is the max he'll go for and those extra 5 will be bonuses. If we offer that kind of fee it would be done. My only worry is that we'll probably go in with an insulting offer which will put us behind Roma in the race simply for pissing off Cairo

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 19 2021, 12:03 PM

Milan does not stick a 30M price tag on Krunic because the player is not worth that much and they know nobody will pay such an amount for him.

Torino do stick a 35M price tag on Belotti because the player is worth that much and they know many clubs are interested. Will they get that much in the end? Probably not, but something in the range of 25-30M as I said earlier, definitely.

His contract expires in 2022? Big deal, they'll just renew it. In fact, that's what Tuttosport reported some weeks ago. Cairo wants to extend his contract and sell him for 40-45M.

Unless of course Belotti doesn't want to renew, then I can see him going for 25M. But you said earlier that we'll never spend such amounts (28M for Tomori) this summer.

So, again, my question remains: how can we hope to sign Belotti? How can we hope to sign anybody? You say we have to be creative, but being creative only gets you the Saelemaekers' and Hauge's and Adli's of this world. And we can't go into the CL next season with such players.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 19 2021, 12:42 PM

Anyway, the most ridiculous rumour coming from Spain, and I can't believe news outlets are reporting it, but anyway:

Some Spanish outlet said that Sergio Ramos has talked to Maldini about joining Milan. His conditions: 20M to sign the contract and then 30M salary for two years.

I don't believe the slightest in it, but if Ramos did indeed ask that money, he must be a complete and utter idiot.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 19 2021, 02:31 PM

But who are all these clubs interested in Belotti?

Only us and Roma have been linked to him and Roma are in a worse situation than us

Again, my point stands. A club can slap any price tag they want on a player, but if clubs don't deem him worth that much then nothing will happen with it. Just like nothing happened when Cairo was hoping to sell him for 100m after his breakout season and Belotti signed that ridiculous contract, his agent should be shot btw, he wasted the best years of his career at Toro because of that contract. And for this reason, I don't think he will renew his contract. He know it's now or never for him. Berardi is in the same boat at Sassuolo imo.

And you just explained my point further re Krunic. A player is only worth what someone is willing to pay for him, and I don't see anyone coming in with the 35m you're quoting

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 19 2021, 04:45 PM

As I said, he probably won't be sold for 35M. But I can totally see Mourinho spending 25M for him. Can we match that offer? Because earlier you said no. Unless of course you believe Cairo will sell him for 15-20M, which to me is unthinkable.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 19 2021, 06:56 PM

I'm rather impressed with Renato Sanches of Portugal. Not saying Milan should go out of the way to sign him, but if an opportunity arises

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 19 2021, 07:26 PM

I'd dodge that bullet if I were Milan. His age is questionable (Taribo West anyone?), his manner and work ethic is rather sluggish. He's a great tournament sub, but for club football and a serious season with ambition I fear not.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 19 2021, 08:14 PM

Honestly, in that pitiful Portugal midfield I thought Sanches was the only good player. And didn't he just have a good season at Lille?

Anyway, Lille paid 20M for him when he was at his lowest. Now he's worth at least 30M, i.e. out of our price range. Next.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 20 2021, 07:26 AM

Looks like Milan and Maldini are running out of patience with Cala.. There are reports of Verona's Zaccagni agent negotiating with Milan.

Possible to include either Conti or Caldara in a swap.

Think it is best to snub Cala, the club needs committed players going forward.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 20 2021, 12:32 PM

This. If I was Maldini I would have told him to f*ck off weeks ago.

Either way, if he renews, I'll never support him as a player again. To me he's the same as Dollarumma, no difference whatsoever. Only Dollarumma is a world class GK and can find another team.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 20 2021, 05:56 PM

I must say I agree. If I were Maldini I'd offer him a reduced contract now.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 20 2021, 07:55 PM

I don't know if Roma will be throwing around that kind of money, Mourinho or not.

And if Roma don't raise their offer then Torino will have to budge


Don't know where he'd fit in our team though. He's an all action CM


He destroyed us in the first tie against Lille. He's been great all season. Sometimes players just need time. Everyone is so quick to rush and throw players away if they're past 23 and haven't exploded yet

Posted by: han2503 Jun 20 2021, 07:56 PM

But again, who are we going to replace him with?

I'm still firmly in the camp of renew if possible

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 20 2021, 08:32 PM

If he doesn't renew then Maldini must have an ace up his sleeve as with Maignan. We can only hope that.

Di Marzio: "At Pessina's 100th game with Atalanta, Milan will get 3 million. However, they will lose the right to earn 50% of his future sale".

I was looking at Atalanta's roster, they have 10 players participating in these Euros (plus 3 in the Copa America). We have only 3 (not counting Donnarumma anymore). Oh, how things have changed...

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 20 2021, 09:07 PM

Then there is Roman Yaremchuk.

Milan is targeting a striker, this one is Ukrainian, tall and plays in Sheva's Ukraine NT. And Genk.

The fact he is a Ukranian striker makes me dream big here, not necessarily the same mold as Sheva, but still.



Maldini has a lot of names still held close to his chest. Not yet revealed. So there is no need for desperation, plus the transfer window isn't open yet. Nor shut for that matter.

Milan is in the CL, meaning there shall be a reinforcement worthy of a CL team.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 20 2021, 09:24 PM

The thing with this management is that they usually pull off moves out of left field

How many times have we seen this pattern now? We're linked with player X for months and then suddenly we sign player Y out of nowhere.

To me, it seems like even Di Marzio and Romano only know what's happening when a move is practically done already.

This is why I think that we should remain calm for now. I'm pretty sure we were never even after De Paul either.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 20 2021, 09:25 PM

I would argue that Calabria, Tomori and most egregious of all - Theo - should be there

Plus 2 of our best players play in the AFCON, not the Euros.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 20 2021, 11:46 PM

Looks like Brahim on loan is a done deal, according to Sky.

There have also been circulating rumours that Calhanoglu's agent proposed him to Inter. Bruh...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 21 2021, 08:41 AM

If you don't count Donnarumma you should count Maignan. Which makes it four. Also, Calabria and Hernandez both deserved a callup, perhaps even Tomori as well, whereas our starting XI has two African players.

But yeah, Atalanta looks very good nowadays. Hopefully they'll wane somehow, starting with their attack.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 21 2021, 08:43 AM

Sorry, didn't notice you said the exact same thing as me

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 21 2021, 09:58 AM

I did count Maignan. Doesn't that make it 3? Maignan, Rebic and Kjaer. Ah, right, Calhanoglu as well, but the tw@t is close to joining Inter...

So, what do you guys think of Zaccagni? Looks like he might be the new AM. Personally speaking, I think we're going nowhere with such names. Mind you, he's a decent player, but we need else if we want to return big. And you can't do that with such players like Zaccagni...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 21 2021, 12:51 PM

Well man, you're pushing it to look more drastic. Hakan is still a Milan player. He was selected on basis of him MILAN performances, so yes, he should definitively be counted in. Donna + Hakan + Rebić + Kjaer + Dalot = 5.

Posted by: William405 Jun 21 2021, 02:11 PM

Calahanoglu to Inter seems serious.

Another player lost on a free transfer to Inter of all clubs.

Honestly, given the pandemic situation, I don't think that Maldini should be the one to blame here. The two players played hardball and didn't want to accept legitimate offers of renewal.

Honestly, I'm happy about it, because players like this don't deserve to be wearing the Milan jersey and clearly don't want to be here anymore. Calhanoglu has been average for us at best, but it is true that he is the only one that can occupy this position and therefore was crucial for the way we played. I hope we can get Diaz and another attacking midfielder...but I can't really think of anyone at the moment.

Posted by: William405 Jun 21 2021, 02:20 PM

Hmmm I like what I saw on youtube...but I agree with you that he won't be a step up at least not next season. But, you never know...he might be explosive with us...in any case it's a bet rather than an insurance.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 21 2021, 02:39 PM

Whatever. My point still remains.

Capanoglu to Inter is confirmed by the mercenary himself, said to some Turkish outlet he will fly to Milano tomorrow to sign the new contract. Good riddance.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 21 2021, 03:51 PM

Indeed.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 21 2021, 04:56 PM

Let's look at our starting line-up right now:

We need to fill those missing spots with two quality signings. And I mean players with international appeal and experience. People were not very warm about De Paul for instance, but he's playing as a starter alongside Messi in the Copa America. That's what I call international appeal. Zaccagni has barely played for the Azzurri.

And I'm being optimistic here because honestly Rebic is not good enough to be a starter, in my opinion.

Then there's the whole subs discussion. Vice-Calabria, vice-Theo, Romagnoli's renewal, Tonali, Brahim, the other CFs. Maldini has an insane summer ahead of him...

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Jun 21 2021, 07:00 PM

Annoying thing is that kessie extension is also struck. We need to sort this out

Posted by: han2503 Jun 21 2021, 07:37 PM

Great minds


Isn't he more of a wide player? I remember him really playing well against us in the first game we played at the San Siro

But I'd only take him as a squad player, no where near good enough to be our starting AM. And he's not the right kinf of profile for that position in Pioli's system

I still think Ziyech would be the best option for us, can play both central and wide right, hit 2 birds with one stone in terms of rotation and depth and then we can think of a player like Zaccagni

I really can't think of a right profile to replace Hakan though...


This is terrible for us. I still maintain that we should have just given him that extra mil. Ridiculous to think that we're losing another starting player for free over not budging on the contract. With Donna it was an extreme case and I agree with the club, it was simply not a sustainable request, but 1m difference between offer and demand and now we have to dip into this kind of market to buy an AM? Stupid imo

I wasn't worried yesterday but today doubts are starting to creep in. All that we've done so far this summer is weaken the squad...


Agreed totally. Plus we have to look into upgrading the bench as well... I don't know what our budget looks like but this is worrying. i don't think we have the money to fill both positions... That's why I was in the renew camp. This has opened a huge can of worms for us


This is one of my biggest worries. These renewal sagas cannot be left to the final year again. I know why we delayed with all the current players like Hakan and Kessie, because before Pioli came, none of them were really performing up to par and there were doubts on whether we should even keep them. But we've really backed ourselves into corners now with all these contracts running down.

We simply have to renew Kessie and Romagnoli ASAP. And I would add Theo and Bennacer to that list. We must not let these contracts go beyond the 2 year mark.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 21 2021, 07:44 PM

What do we think about Shaqiri and Isak?

Shaqiri I think has the attributes to do what Pioli wants in that role and Isak has been amazing for Sweden imo

I don't think we'd have to break the bank for either

Posted by: han2503 Jun 21 2021, 07:51 PM

Btw, it's really funny that he decides to go to Inter for 1m more when they can barely pay their current players. Not to mention that this is going to put them under even more financial pressure than they were already in


Good luck with that cugini

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 21 2021, 08:16 PM

Bro, Hakan not renewing has been in the air for weeks. You can't say this news now changes your perspective on our mercato, which was optimistic until yesterday.

I told you sh*t does not look good.



No to Shaqiri for me, don't know this Isaac guy.



Actually, Capanoglu will replace Eriksen who is set to leave after what happened, as per Lega Calcio regulations he cannot play with the defibrillator they placed in him.

Eriksen earns 7.5M at Inter, so they're actually saving a few bucks.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 21 2021, 08:19 PM

There were no definites. And it looked like offers weren't going to come in for Hakan... We'll see but I just can't see us replacing an AM and bringing in a RW of the quality we need in the same window.

But where will Eriksen go? Can they simply terminate his contract?

Plus, Hakan now will earn twice as much as Barella and Lautaro. With Eriksen it's acceptable as he was a top class player. Hakan though is coming in froma rival team and hasn't done much of anything in his career

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 21 2021, 11:52 PM

There were no definites, but it seemed plausible he was never going to renew.



No idea what's gonna happen with him, but obviously he can't stay in the payroll since he's not eligible to play. They'll probably end their relationship on mutual terms.

Posted by: William405 Jun 22 2021, 08:28 AM

The worrying thing this time is that Maldini doesn't seem to have s replacement in the works. Anyway, **** him

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 22 2021, 08:46 AM

That tells you only how the Inter boys are behaving. If it were Milan they'd already demanded bigger salaries. But what will happen with Eriksen, Lautaro and Hakan is Inter's concern, I don't give a damn.

As for Milan, yes, this is exactly what I thought was happening. We are getting weaker and weaker. I get you X-O; I was the one who initially told you Hakan is completely unreliable and inconsistent, knowing him from HSV and Leverkusen days. This was then time when you two tried to prove he can play a Pirloesque DM. Well...

Anyway, Hakan was immensely important for Pioli's system even when he played badly or was invisible, because of the rhythm, flow and tempo. I'm not sure who's gonna replace him now.

Oh and the argument that De Paul is now playing along Messi isn't exactly stunning either. Several terrible players played for Argentina and with Messi through the decades at the Copa. This is me not wanting to say De Paul is terrible, just overrated. But, we'll see. Atletico is the right place to be right now.

I read Donny van de Beek, Ceballos, Isco and some other players being mentioned. We'll see what Maldini cooks up this time. But I have a feeling the upcoming season will be a horrible embarrassment.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 22 2021, 11:28 AM

Hmm, don't think I've ever considered Capanoglu to play as DM, but anyway, yes, back in the day I really had high hopes for him.



Yes, he was ideal for Pioli's system. But you know what's even better? A player who's ideal for your system AND doesn't suck balls 50% of the time.



Amongst all the names we've linked with, De Paul would have been the best option. Or do you prefer Zaccagni or Adli instead? We would have been extremely lucky to get him, but obviously Atletico don't mess around and just barfed 40M like it was peanuts.

We'll never compete with the big clubs because we cannot spend like a big club. And that's simply because we're owned by a fund. Elliott will never take chances and borrow money to buy top players, because it would devalue the club for potential investors.

As I said in a previous post, we only have 105M of debt (as per the 30/06/20 financial statements), which in reality is not a true debt per se, but payables to factoring companies for advances on future receivables in reference to commercial contracts. They are in fact self-liquidating, considering that they are advances on receivables, such as TV rights or the collection of payments for players sold on the transfer market, which the club will collect in the coming months.

So, in reality, we have zero debt. Atletico Madrid, for comparison, have over one billion of debt in their accounts. And so do most big clubs. That's where they get most of the cash they spend on the market for players, and that's how they can afford them. Is it sustainable in the long term? No idea. But operating as Elliott wants us to operate, we'll never go anywhere.



I agree. Things look extremely bleak.

Posted by: William405 Jun 22 2021, 02:28 PM

I think you've considered him to be a good solution at the time for CM position when we were playing a 3 man midfield. Given the players we had, didn't think it was a bad idea at the time. Well, apparently, Hakan created the most opportunities of any midfielder in the top 5 leagues...it's hard to image but that's the statistic.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 22 2021, 02:54 PM

Yes, as mezzala, but not as a Pirloesque DM. He will be deployed as mezzala at Inter in the mold of Luis Alberto at Lazio, with Brozovic and Barella being the Leiva-Milinkovic counterparts.

Where did you read that stat? Cos I find it hard to believe.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 22 2021, 03:33 PM

Was this when Han tried to prove that Hakan and Bruno Fernandes have virtually the same impact perhaps

Posted by: William405 Jun 22 2021, 03:42 PM

https://scontent-mrs2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/203911615_2965124810366535_6668415706505751072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=XWIyFyz_hegAX-pg_Ih&_nc_ht=scontent-mrs2-1.xx&oh=3f4419ed6dedd2f7da6c7fe5c78c1d92&oe=60D79428


It was posted on the IFTV page stats via OPTA

Posted by: han2503 Jun 22 2021, 04:16 PM

They've had similar numbers


Anywhoo

Management better be looking at AMs and wingers

The fans are happy for now and they gave them kudos for how they've dealt with Donna. And for now Hakan is going to have the target on his back. But if they don't replace him and don't find a proper RW solution, things are going to turn sour quickly

Add to that the added headache of finding alternatives for Kessie

Posted by: han2503 Jun 22 2021, 04:19 PM

And personally, I don't want to see us being linked with Zaccagni, or Baselli or any other mid-range player from Aerie A who has never played CL football or even for a top level club

We're going to be in the CL again next season, we have to act like it or we'll be back to the EL very quickly


The club has good relationships with clubs like Chelsea, Real, Utd, etc. Alll have AMs we can take off of them if we go in with a good offer.

Van de Beek is good, Ziyech as well and Isco would also be a good option imo. I think he still has a lot to give and Serie A could be a good change for him. Whatever it is, they have to go for a player at this level. Same goes for the RW and the extra CDM

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 22 2021, 05:12 PM

Whatever. He is still mediocre.

It?s official now, but get this: 3-year contract, salary 4.5 million in the first year (vs the 4M we offered), 5M for the remaining two years.

What a backstabbing SOAB. To go to Inter for 2.5M more in total. You have to be really vile. At least Dollarumma will be earning 20M more at PSG.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 22 2021, 06:58 PM

This better be the last time we have to lose someone for free!

We've lost serious money on both players, money we could have desperately used

The management must take a hard stand against players going into their final year. Either renew now, find a new club that could guarantee us the requested transfer fee or sit for the entire season.

The management should have tackled both Donnarumma and Hakan situations last summer in such a manner. To lose both players for free when we're desperate for cash flow is unforgivable imo. If both didn't want to renew we should have sold them last summer.

This now applies for Kessie and Romagnoli. We cannot go into next season with their futures unclear. Either commit to stay now or be sold

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 22 2021, 07:09 PM

Indeed. Kessie is a must, Calabria also. Romangoli sell him if he doesn't accept our offer.

What do you guys think of Damsgaard? He always impressed me with Samp whenever I watched them play, and he was great for Denmark last night. More of a left winger, but can also play as AM. Only 20 years old. Future champion?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 22 2021, 07:24 PM

I agree, he impressed me as well. And maybe Kjaer could send in a few good words.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 22 2021, 07:30 PM

Mandzukic farewell message:

It was a pleasure to play for @acmilan - I am thankful to the club management for giving me the opportunity, to the coaching staff for their dedicated work and to my teammates who are not only excellent players but a great group of guys I am happy that we have managed to get this great club back to @championsleague where it belongs and I wish everybody at the club only the best in the future.

Capanoglu farewell message:

Thank you for everything Milan.

Mandzukic stayed with us for 6 months and barely played, yet he took the time to write a heartfelt farewell message. The mercenary instead only bothered with a mere 'thank you'. After spending 4 years with this club, who picked him in Germany and supported him in the toughest moments of his career. Yet he signs for the rivals, leave the club on a free and only for a few bucks more. What an ungrateful SOAB.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 22 2021, 11:32 PM

Let's not waste any more time on this guy. He's history, hopefully he'll follow the path taken by Collovati, Guly, Cassano and a few others.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 23 2021, 12:11 AM

Di Marzio: "Milan are deciding whether to make a real offer to Sampdoria for Damsgaard. They like so much the player, they follow and consider him a talent with a great prospect. There is no negotiation with Sampdoria but Milan are thinking about it. "

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 23 2021, 09:15 AM

Good. All for it.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 23 2021, 07:43 PM

I think we should make the effort with Romagnoli as well. We need 3 great CB options for next season. Him, Tomori and Kjaer are all starting quality. We can either keep Caldara with them or try to bring in a mid-level Serie A CB who can play Coppa and smaller league games.

Gabbia or Kalulu should be loaned imo. We shouldn't be relying on them should another injury crises arise


Did you see the one with the blue paint bucket. The guy is absolute garbage. I personally think something happened. Maybe it's Ibra and they were not getting along, I don't know, but to go to Inter for a meagre 500k makes no sense to me.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 23 2021, 07:55 PM

Don't know much about Damsgaard but I personally would prefer a higher profile player for the AM position. Not to mention, the AM in Pioli's system has to act like a third mid when we don't have the ball. This is why I though De Paul would have been a great option, but alas. We're also being linked with Marcel Sabitzer. Now he'd be the perfect profile for that position. He's a really aggressive player that can practically play any position in midfield, has great vision and shooting ability. He's on his last year of contract so he won't cost as much


But as expected we're being linked to every attacking mid under the sun

For me, from all the players we're linked with, some are great some are simply not acceptable if we want to stay in the CL spots

Acceptable (I'd actually want both):
Ziyech
Sabitzer

Unacceptable:
Ceballos
James
Zaccagni
Ilicic

No opinion as I haven't seen much of them:
Damsgaard
Lovro Majer (do you know anything about him Fillipo?)

Posted by: han2503 Jun 23 2021, 09:26 PM

@FabrizioRomano: #ACMilan will announce re-signing of Brahim Diaz 'in the coming days' - two full-backs eyed


Great that he's staying. Aside from having the talent and the x-factor, he's shown real enthusiasm in his time at Milan. Someone who is clearly grateful and ready to work hard for the team. His celebrations at the end of that Atalanta game were all you needed to see imo to know how well he's integrated into the group.

Hopefully the 20m buyout is included

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 23 2021, 11:38 PM

Damsgaard is a winger, not an AM.

Lovro Majer has great potential but he wouldn't be a immediat fix for our problem. Why would Ceballos and James be unacceptable? I'm lagging behind with EPL but aren't they both coming off a very good season?

Also, why do you have the constant need of explaining and (to an extent) justifying Hakan? Now it's Ibra who should/could be at fault here? No. Hakan has weak character. He showed that numerous times by now with HSV, Lever, Milan and Turkey. He's a problematic type of player but not like Ibra extroverted but introverted.

And another thing... Caldara is completely broken and unreliable. The ONLY logical solution is to get rid of him and not cling on him so that when another crisis arises he can bomb in and get injured after one or two veteran-style games. Honestly... And Kalulu and Gabbia have to stay. We need a bigger roster and you can't expect us to have 4th and 5th or 3rd options that are something other then green youngsters.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 24 2021, 01:09 AM

Haven't seen this Sabitzer guy, will make sure to check him out vs Italy. But from some YT clips he reminds a bit of De Paul, i.e. aggressive, hard-working, good technique and vision.

Speaking of De Paul, Udinese's SD said negotiations with Atletico are going on, but there's considerable difference between request and demand, and that there are other clubs out there interested in the player. An opening? I think he's just putting pressure on Atletico. But strange considering everyone had given the deal for sealed.



Totally agreed. I have my doubts about him being suited for Serie A, but his passion and enthusiasm for our shirt have won me over.



Ceballos comes from two disappointing seasons at Arsenal. After a two-year loan they're going to send him back to Madrid. He wasn't even picked for the Euros.

James is just... James, man. When has he ever been good? A one-hit wonder at that 2014 World Cup, then he's been a regular bench warmer, at Madrid and at Bayern. Now at 30 years old he's washed up, definitely not the kind of profile we need to go after.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 24 2021, 08:48 PM

I read somewhere that he can play AM as well

I'm not justifying Hakan. I might have not added the part about his fragile ego and just thought about it in my head. But it was obvious that there was some saltiness there after Zlatan dragged him multiple times during games. Hakan is a fragile player no doubt. That's why I mentioned that something must have happened for him to go to Inter for a meagre amount. It's not a justification but a comment on his questionable character

Like I said a million times. I would have preferred if we had managed to keep him because this has caused extra problems for us. Obviously, I want a better starting AM and would have been fine had we sold him for actual money. But for this season, I would have preferred to have the management concentrate on a RW. Now any potential budget has to be split.

Re Ceballos. Absolutely awful at Arsenal. He could still do well in Serie A, players like him tend to not really adapt well to the EPL. But as a profile, he's absolutely not what we need. He's not an AM and he's not someone who can rotate with Kessie/Bennacer either. We don't have any use for him

Same argument goes for James, he's not been that great at Everton either save for the first 2 months or so. He's been injury prone as well, not to mention, he's not the right profile for our AM role. Like I said, our attacking mid has to be someone who can drop into midfield, and while James is classified as an AM, he veers more towards CF rather than midfielder imo

That's why Sabitzer would be perfect for us imo


Oh, yes, although I think De Paul is a bit more technical while Sabitzer a more powerful player

Romano reiterated that it's done. I don't see us coming anywhere close to matching their offer.

I think Diaz is a gem. I don't think style matters, he has all the skill in the world. He just needs to add more end product to his game because if he can do that he'd be lethal with his pace, balance and dribbling. I think if he played more regularly he'd evolve a lot.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 24 2021, 08:52 PM

Ag.#Bakayoko ?We will do everything possible to bring it to the #Milan ,#Maldini knows him well "

What do you guys think of Baka returning?

I actually think it would be perfect for us and save us a huge headache for when the AFCON starts and we lose Benna and Kessie for nearly a month

Kessie, Bennacer, Bakayoko and Tonali would be a great foursome for that double pivot imo.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jun 24 2021, 09:14 PM

Agreed, perfect signing.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jun 25 2021, 05:26 PM

Kessie's represetatives met with Milan management to inform/warn them that the asking is 5-6M, and not to waste their time with negotiations. If the asking package is ready, then to call them in to sign, otherwise nothing.

This seems to be bad, not sure how the management will respond.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 25 2021, 06:35 PM

I think Pedulla reported this. Man's full of sh!t, doesn't know anything about what's going on at any club.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 25 2021, 06:36 PM

And btw, if this is the case we need to f@ckin' pay the man. He's the only one who deserves what he's asking for from the players that are running down their contracts. We need to lock him down long term. Just give him the 5m and be done with it.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 25 2021, 08:10 PM

I read somewhere that we're going to offer him what he's asking for. I would normally say 'don't worry', but I said that about Dollarumma and Capanoglu as well, and look how those ended.

Still, I don't think we'll let Kessie go. It's not like he's asking 10M.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 25 2021, 09:36 PM

Buh, never heard of him. But paying 20M for someone whose contract expires in December is nuts. If this news is reliable at all, that is.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 26 2021, 04:42 PM

I think Donnarumma's demands were just impossible to meet for us. We went higher than we would have for anyone with him

With Hakan I think they deemed him worth a certain number and did no want to budge from it.

Do I agree with either decision? Not sure. I think the club could have gotten the longer end of the stick had we renewed both and tried to sell next summer. Of course then you have to face the possibility of being unable to sell both and being stuck with hefty wages on the bill...

It's a difficult choice either way for the club.


No way we'd pay anywhere close to that when we can barely pay that kind of money to actual known players who have experience in Europe

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 27 2021, 02:56 PM

I'm really getting sick and tired with all these mercato rumours. It's like we're being linked with every trequartsita and forward under the sun just for the sake of it. Every day I open the news there's a new name being thrown.

I'm not gonna believe anything anymore until things get serious.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 27 2021, 05:23 PM

I don't think anything significant will get done before the Euros are over

Only PSG and City seems to be moving aggressively this summer, which is no surprise seeing as most clubs don't have any money

Posted by: han2503 Jun 29 2021, 12:43 PM

The irony of Deschamps leaving Theo back home for bull headed reasons and then ending up playing Rabiot () at LWB/LB and crashing out to Switzerland! Too funny.

Theo must be loving this.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 29 2021, 01:08 PM

Deschamps is a complete idiot. I loved last night's result. Did you read the comments from Barthez and Vieira a few days ago? How to make a fool of yourself 101.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 29 2021, 02:49 PM

No. Do you have a link?


Yeah, agreed re Deschamps. How do you have all that talent and world class quality at your disposal and waste it away?

And was totally cheering Switzerland yesterday. I actually switched off when they went 3-0 up and checked the scores again at around 23:30 and was like

Then watched last part of ET

Posted by: William405 Jun 29 2021, 05:02 PM

He won the world cup.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 29 2021, 06:55 PM

By playing defensively and snatching wins. That won't always work. And when you have all that talent it's unforgivable to waste it.

Sure he rides on that goodwill but a really great coach would make the French team a winning machine

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 29 2021, 08:06 PM

https://football-italia.net/italy-fans-mock-france-legend-vieira-after-euro-2020-prediction/

Barthez also said something similar.

Posted by: han2503 Jun 30 2021, 07:41 PM

Ah yes. Saw this. But was thinking more about Gary Neville as he was the bigger numbnut in that conversation.

Posted by: X-Offender Jun 30 2021, 09:57 PM

Sancho to ManUtd for 100M.

PSG give 15M to Ramos, 12M to Dollarumma, 10M to Wijnaldum. 70M for Hakimi.

Then there's the usual Haaland and Mbappe rumours which I don't even wanna think how much whoever gets them will end up paying.

But we have a financial crisis, no? We need the Super League to save football. STFU! Perez and all his f*cking friends. These mofos are destroying football. FFP? Pfffff. Let's just penalise the smaller clubs and create an oligopoly. UEFA are on it as well. Absolutely ridiculous.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 1 2021, 11:19 AM

Agreed. Shameful indeed.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 1 2021, 01:50 PM

So, Milan and Wolfsburg are negotiating about Hauge for 15M.

Personally speaking, the kid has shown very little for me to be sad about his departure, but man oh man, the reaction of Milan fans across the various social media I follow is insane. Everyone is angry, saying we shouldn't sell him etc. And I just don't get it. He just doesn't strike me as somebody who will turn out great. Could obviously be wrong, though.

I also don't get why Pioli completely forgot about him in the second part of last season, but that's another matter entirely.

Leao also has a few offers from England. We're not accepting offers below 25M.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 1 2021, 04:07 PM

The Hauge story is strange IMO.

It started like a perfect love story. The kid said he was a Milan fan somewhere, played good against us and got signed for peanuts. A perfect Elliot/Gazidis signing if you ask me.

Now why he disappeared even after the scored important goals like the one against Sampdoria or Napoli is beyond me. I mean why do guys like Samu Castillejo get two or three seasons to prove they're wrong whistle a young a talented guy like Hauge suddenly is crossed off?

With Hauge leaving Milan is sending a very baffling message.

But in all honesty, we have bigger fish to fry. If our management manages to ***** up Kessie's contract the public opinion will turn on them. They were lucky that Donna had this scumbag Raiola around him which made it considerably easier to picture him as Dollarumma, and they also were lucky that Hakan is a basket case. But they won't get away with their stinginess this time around. If the Kessie story drags on, they'll be exposed for what they truly are.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 1 2021, 05:39 PM

@Pippo, it does seem strange the way the summer window has been till now.

Club covered the GK position without skipping a beat and secured a proven CB.

The incoming players are yet to be disclosed to us, however I firmly believe that the club is in negotiations with respective players to bring in.

Huage being put on the market is only right IMHO, with Diaz and a Samu replacement. Add to that the incoming player replacing Hakan. The spaces will be crowded. This noting that the quality of the incoming players will be of a high level. That is my belief.

There is also Leao being put up for sale, the management seems to be in a direction to put in a competitive squad. Whether that be loan, loan option to buy or an outright purchase.

All in all, I have this feeling the fans will be happy at the end of it.

P.S. The transfer window just opened today and will remain open for two months, hence the action should be escalating from here on in.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 1 2021, 06:39 PM

There are two scenarios that could unfold:

1) We find an agreement with Kessie and renew his contract, sending a clear message that the Dollarumma and Capanoglu cases were isolated ones having to do with two nutcases, and that we have important ambitions for the future.

2) We keep on dragging the situation, not bulging from our 4M offer and eventually we lose him for free. If this happens, then we will know for a fact that Maldini & co. have nothing to do with it but there's clear indications from Elliott that payslips should remain low no matter what.

If the latter scenario unfolds, then as you said the ownership's true colours will be exposed, i.e. they just want to sell the club to make a profit, which is what I've been saying for some time now.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 1 2021, 07:43 PM

But isn't it ironic that the clubs making these moves are the ones who "didn't" support the SL? PSG and the English clubs who were the first to back out at the first sign of discontent from their fans. Clubs who never really needed the SL to begin with

PSG didn't join simply because the Qatari state has interests with both UEFA and FIFA. They would have jumped the UEFA ship the second the world cup was over and joined the rest

This was why I was in favour of the SL. Because UEFA are the biggest part of the problem. They have loosened FFP this summer when the only clubs capable of spending are the super rich ones funded by EPL TV money and states. Perez is in a bind as well imo Real are not splashing the cash either and they are the biggest commercial team on this planet. That says it all.

Nothing will change until UEFA actually does something about the likes of PSG and City. Who are above and beyond anything we've seen before. Not even the galactico BS from Real was anywhere near as disgusting as what these nitwits are doing to football now.

Wage caps should be applied and transfer sums need to be muzzled as well. It's just gone above and beyond the ridiculous now.


I think the issue with Hauge is Pioli. I don't think he rates him highly. The club see him making a decent capital return so he'll be sacrificed.


Samu is someone who works hard and that's what Pioli wants from the wingers. Hauge doesn't give you that imo. It's clear that Pioli doesn't think that highly of him

I agree that it's questionable considering Samu has been @ss each time he played this season. But the management is obviously weighing the pros and cons of keeping Hauge and the cons outweigh the pros for them, especially if Pioli is not going to play him this season

What I would ask if we do sell him is that we insert a buyback. We mustn't let this turn into another Locatelli scenario imo


It still does not make any sense to let these players walk for free instead of renewing and then selling. Financially, losing Donna and Hakan has cost us over 70m for sure if not more. So what sense did it make to hold out for approx 5m more for the both of them for another season and trying to find a buyer next summer? Still doesn't make much financial sense to me


I'll come out and say this now. If we can't find an agreement with Kessie by August, we should sell. EPL clubs are interested in him. I'd rather sell him now than lose him for free

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 1 2021, 07:49 PM

Some ESPN journalist said that according to his sources James Rodriguez is very close to joining Milan.

I don't know how to feel about this. If he were a couple of years younger then fine, but he's 30, very injury prone and always been a regular benchwarmer. Would he be an upgrade over Capanoglu? Probably, but I'm still not convinced.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 1 2021, 07:51 PM

Agreed

The injuries are a huge worry.

The mentioned contract also is worrying. 6m for 3 years?? And we're being stingy with f@cking Kessie of all players?? Makes no sense if these numbers are correct

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 2 2021, 08:15 AM

Not sure what to believe at this moment to be honest. Others just mention Milan probing for James but deny advanced talks.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 2 2021, 10:48 AM

Milan and Atalanta are in advanced talks for Pobega for 12M.

Another one people are very pissed for at the moment. It's like we're trying to sell all these youngsters so we can only make a profit. Pobega would be a net gain of 12M, Huage if sold for 15M would be a net gain of 11M. That's 23M of profit on the income statement.

Now, Pobega had a decent season with Spezia. He only played 20 games / 1238 minutes in total, but he also scored 6 goals and made 3 assists. People are pissed that we're selling him for just 12M when guys like Scamacca and Damsgaard are being valued at 30-40M. And I get it. But at the same time I think those price tags are a bluff, cos no one would pay that much in reality.

I'm just irked that we're giving away Pobega so easily. The kid is just 22, he has talent. Yet all we care about is making money, so Elliott can have a healthy investment he can then sell to the highest bidder.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 3 2021, 09:30 AM

Jeremy Doku of Belgium was really good last night! Wouldn't mind him as a forward in Milan

Posted by: han2503 Jul 3 2021, 08:58 PM

This is similar to the situation with Locatelli though. Even worse actually. Pobega as he is today will never play for us. I personally think we should loan him out again. If nothing else, if he has another good season his value will go up a bit more by next summer.

If we're going to sell him, we should put in a buyback clause that covers us at least until 2023. That's the biggest mistake we made on the Locatelli deal. Not inserting that clause.

But if they do need the cash injection to make moves this summer, then they will have to be sacrificed imo. We need an AM, a RW a backup midfielder and another FB, preferably someone comfortable on either side. Not to mention a striker. Some sacrifices will have to be made to improve this team. Unfortunately they will have to be the players who have some value but are not integral to the team as of this moment


I think I heard the commentators say he's going to Leicester during the game. Not 100% sure I heard right though. EPL clubs will price anyone else out of that right quick anyway for these types of players

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 3 2021, 10:11 PM

Rennes bought him last year for 26M. His price will have gone at least 35-40M by now. Out of our league, as most good players.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 4 2021, 01:09 PM

What a beautiful gesture from Tonali, he reduced his wages to facilitate the transfer to Milan.

Future Captain in the making.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 4 2021, 01:12 PM

OH for sure Milan will be out priced, would be great to have him. But definitely out of the club's league.

Then there is the Ajax forward Tadic... His stats reveal great things, would definitely be pleased if Milan signed him

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 4 2021, 01:42 PM

In all honesty, trading our two young players for a 32-year old Tadić is not the right direction IMO.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 4 2021, 02:37 PM

Tadic would be a new low.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 4 2021, 03:24 PM

Honestly, don't even want to think about the names we're being linked to right now

I think most outlets or the usual guys like Di Marzio and Romano don't know what's really going on.

We're probably going to try to sell before we buy because at this point it seems like there's no real cashflow for Maldini and Massara to operate with

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Jul 4 2021, 04:03 PM

Isco was linked aswell. Loan option so kind of what we look towards

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 5 2021, 09:38 AM

Doesn't seem right, I know what you mean. Think Tadic would be instead of Giroud. A vice Ibra.

Then there much be other transactions for the attack, in place of both Hauge and Leo... But the names are probably not yet in circulation.


There is a tightness in the budget, as all teams had to forego stadium income, also merchandising was most likely down as well. Milan doesn't compete on the top line with any of the top teams in Europe, hence the sale of players to fund a CL worthy squad is the only means forward.

That being said, I would appreciate if the management do slap on a repurchase agreement for any of our young/promising players that they end up selling.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 5 2021, 10:51 AM

I have no idea how we're going to fund one top AM, one top RW and one top FW, alongside other minor purchases, if we have no cash and keep pushing only for loan options. It's absurd.

And in all honesty, if we're gonna keep playing 4-2-3-1, I also think we need a top LW. Rebic has been a huge disappointment in the last 6 months. His Euro was also rubbish, probably Croatia's most disappointing player.

We're running a very tight ship right now and I feel like Maldini has his hands tied from above.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 5 2021, 10:04 PM

According to Sky, Milan are close to finalizing a purchase of Kaio Jorge a forward from Santos for Eur8.5M.

Apparently Milan beat Juve, Napoli and Porto.

This pending official confirmation.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 5 2021, 10:29 PM

Seems like a good move. If it happens.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 5 2021, 10:30 PM

And yes, we need someone to rotate with Rebić. Not that we need someone WC like the other positions, that would be unrealistic, but we need someone to be an alternate solution.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 5 2021, 10:56 PM

Actually, Sky only says we've shown a concrete interest in Kaio Jorge, but there's nothing concrete yet.

Anyway, the Isco rumours are very tempting. His contract expires in 2022, and he's been an outsider to the Madrid project for a couple of years now. Maybe we could get him on sale or something.

It would be a top signing IMO. Unlike Coutinho or James, the guy is not injury prone, and is more congruous to the trequartista position in Pioli's system. If we could sign him and maybe Ziyech on loan, I'd be super happy.

Posted by: William405 Jul 6 2021, 12:59 PM

Me too.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 6 2021, 02:01 PM

Kessie's agent: "Only a coup d'etat can make Kessie part ways with Milan"

https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/milan/l-agente-di-kessie-solo-un-colpo-di-stato-puo-mandare-via-il-presidente-dal-milan_35112834-202102k.shtml

Meaning, only if Milan don't offer what we request.

Now, I have a couple of considerations to make. Kessie earns 2.2M, we're offering 4M plus bonuses. That's almost double what he currently earns. The guy however is asking 6M, according to the press. In my opinion, that's rather excessive. You can't jump the gun like this and request triple your salary.

On the other hand, we as a club cannot continue being so cheap when it comes to renewals. It was OK as long as we were navigating into mediocrity and EL waters, but now that we're getting back on track it's time to make a step forward. An important club does not keep salaries to a minimum.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 6 2021, 02:05 PM

In other news, Tonali should sign tomorrow.

We managed to reduce the total cost of the operation, believe it to not from 35M to 17M + this Olzer kid. Moreover, Tonali has accepted a pay cut from 1,6M to 1,1M.

Bruh, we're such cheapskates I don't know even know anymore.

Posted by: William405 Jul 6 2021, 04:11 PM

I think we're trying to build a sustainable model. I like it.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 6 2021, 09:52 PM

Lorenzo Insigne's situation with Napoli is sensitive, he currently has a Eur4.5M contract expiring in 2022. Napoli offered a reduced salary of Eur3.5M for the extension.

Apparently Milan are offering him Eur4.5M with a transfer fee of Eur20M.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 6 2021, 11:07 PM

Anyone watched the semifinal? And the whole Euro for what it counts? Still think Belotti is our man?

Posted by: William405 Jul 6 2021, 11:31 PM

Forget about that guy...

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 7 2021, 12:26 AM

I have. In all honesty he hasn't played that much. I thought he did fairly well against Austria. Tonight he was poor though, but he wasn't exactly helped much by his teammates.

Anyhow, I understand your doubts towards him.

Great to see Italy reach the final though. I think Spain were the toughest opponent they could face. Pretty confident they can beat both England and Denmark.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 8 2021, 09:01 PM

Hasn't Isco been very poor for these past 2 years or so though?

He'd be another huge question mark for me. Just like James


I don't think that's what he meant

Coup d'etat for me means another club makes Milan an offer they wouldn't be able to refuse. I don't think the figures are correct either. Kessie is most likely asking for 5 though which we should match. No questions asked


Belotti looks off to me. I was sure about him before these EUROs. Now I'm not so sure


From your mouth to God's ears

Can you imagine the English if they manage to win this thing?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 10 2021, 07:16 PM

According to Corriere, Milan agreed with player for a January transfer (free)

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 10 2021, 09:22 PM

After renewing Calabria, Milan are ready to sit with Kessie's agent. A Eur6M for 5 year contract is the terms Milan are agreeing to offer.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 10 2021, 11:14 PM

I don't think we'll go that high. It will probably be 5m and Kessie would most likely be happy with that as well

Posted by: han2503 Jul 10 2021, 11:16 PM

I really want to see us closing a deal for the AM position ASAP. That's an integral role in Pioli's system, any new AM should at least get some form of pre season under his belt

Posted by: William405 Jul 11 2021, 01:03 AM

What about Krunic? 🤣🤭

Posted by: han2503 Jul 11 2021, 05:42 AM

Uhh, don't remind me.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 11 2021, 09:02 AM

Gazzetta reported it, though I find it excessive, think the club need to compensate their MVP.

Kessie is the engine and heart in the core of the team. Regardless of how much is on offer, it is a relief Milan have opened communications with his representatives.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 11 2021, 02:12 PM

In all honesty, rushing this decision in order to get a week or two more is ludicrous.

Don't expect things you already know are unlikely to happen. This will only lead to unnecessary disappointment. We already know that our management moves either super fast in the shadows or super slow. Mostly it's super slow.

In other news I hear Milan signed Ballo-Toure from Monaco. Any information on this guy?

Oh, and I've watched both the Euros and the Copa for some potential Milan players. De Paul played a great final last night, and a overall good tournament. Maybe I'll eat my words after all.

Luis Diaz (LW) has been good all tournament long. Romero has done a fair job, Acuna as well but both still are prone to mistakes. Our past targets like Vina (Uruguay) and Everton (Brazil) seem more then unimpressive. Paqueta showed both sides again but did overall good and makes me wonder if Pioli shouldn't have tried harder.

As for the Euros, Damsgaard might come with a hefty prize but he could be very useful (yet not crucial). Berardi showed his limits and his good sides. Donnarumma - we'll miss sorely.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 11 2021, 03:14 PM

Never heard of Ballo-Toure before.

Re: Paqueta, I also agree that maybe we jumped the gun with him. Should have been more patient. He could have been the AM we're so desperately searching for now.

The names we're being linked with the most right now are those of Isco, Sabitzer and Ziyech.

Giroud is expected to have his medical tomorrow.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 11 2021, 09:24 PM

Can't stop thinking what a mistake Mancini made in not picking Calabria instead of Di Lorenzo (as a second choice right back).

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 11 2021, 09:59 PM

Yeah, and it's so sad Calabria missed out such a big experience.

Anyway, ET, no Chiesa. Hopefully Italy can once again prevail.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Jul 11 2021, 10:57 PM

Man we will miss this flipping keeper...

Great to see Italy win

Posted by: William405 Jul 11 2021, 10:58 PM

Donnarumma won Italy the Euros.

Forza Italia!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Jul 11 2021, 11:03 PM

Wasn't he injured?

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 11 2021, 11:34 PM

Dajeee! I realised I'm a much bigger azzurri fan than I thought. Lots of suffering and lots of joy in the end.

Donnarumma was awarded player of the tournament. The guy really won them this final with those two saves. I thought they were doomed after Jorignho's penalty.

Really great to see a big trophy going back to Italy.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 11 2021, 11:35 PM

I don't think it was something serious, could have postponed the surgery.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 12 2021, 12:27 AM

So sad to see Italy win, yet no Milan player in the roster. Can't remember the last time this happened. Maybe in 90' when the reached 3rd place.

And watching Locatelli, Cristante, Donna and even Bonnuci play... makes me regret few of our decisions.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 12 2021, 09:26 AM

Agreed. But there is a takeaway from this, Donna, Chistante, Locatelli were all Milan youth academy players during the time Berlusconi turned focus on the youth sector. The same keeps churning out talent till date.

Hence it is a good reference to what is to come. As Warren Buffet says "the rear view mirror is always clearer than the windshield", so let's loom ahead

@CMF, totally forgot about the injury