Italy’s giants are set to fight it out for Argentine midfield prodigy Ever Banega, according to sources in South America.

The 19-year-old is in his first season as a regular starter in the Primera Division, but is already being touted as a huge talent for the future.

Indeed, Boca President Mauricio Macri has claimed that he rebuffed a big-money offer from Milan before they swooped for Brazilian talent Alexandre Pato.

“There are lots of young stars in my squad that could be hunted,” he insisted.

“The most obvious one in Banega. He is like Gennaro Gattuso, but more technical. Milan offered £7m for him, but I didn’t accept.”

It has been suggested that Inter and Juventus are also keeping a close eye on the Boquita’s ace and may be ready to enter a bidding war when the January transfer window opens.

If we can get a Rino type player for the future, that would be fantastic. He is a huge part of our team, but he  isn't going to last forever. I've not even heard of the kid to be honest, but Rino + techincal ability - He can't be bad!

I knew Milan wasn't asleep during the transfer window...

Of course Milan wasn't asleep... that's the saddest part! I'm sure we had some targets again this season I just down believe we made any realistic offers for them...

About this guy... never even heard of him and I don't believe in what the Boca president says... after all, this guy wants to sell the kid and at a high price! He's doing what he's supposed to do...

Ofcourse he is gonna say that ... But I doubt he was lying about Milan making an offer. a 7M bid from Milan for a unproven 19 yr old isn't a good enough offer ?! I don't know what is then.

Not the good ones....

@misha ... With Crespo, it was just typical of Milan. They don't negotiate when someone is bending their arm, it's as simple as that.

Cuz Crespo really wanted to stay ..

They gave up on signing him because Milan prefered to quickly sign Vieri instead of wait and bargain with Chelsea. It was just easier. After we signed the flop, we didn't have a place for Crespo anymore cuz we already had Sheva and Pippo + we were in the middle of negotiations for Gila (who was a big promise back then), so we already had 4 striketrs.

Inter got him almost for nothig. With a little will and patience we could have got the same deal merda agrreed to.

You should not refer to Vieri as a flop. After what he said to the reporters when they informed him of the Inter fans' disappointment over the move I have the utmost respect for him: "Well, now at Milan, I might even win something"!!   Priceless... another great moment in Inter's history...     

They gave up on signing him because Milan prefered to quickly sign Vieri instead of wait and bargain with Chelsea. It was just easier. After we signed the flop, we didn't have a place for Crespo anymore cuz we already had Sheva and Pippo + we were in the middle of negotiations for Gila (who was a big promise back then), so we already had 4 striketrs.

Inter got him almost for nothig. With a little will and patience we could have got the same deal merda agrreed to.

08/12/2007 14:08


Milan Close In On Banega Deal

Reports in Italy suggest that AC Milan are very close to completing the signing of Boca Juniors starlet Ever Banega.

The 19-year-old is rated as one of Argentina’s most promising young midfielders and he was a star at his country’s successful FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign in Canada during the summer. 

Banega only made his professional debut for Boca in February of this year, but such was his impact that he was given a standing ovation by La Bombonera crowd in one of his first games for the club. 

Last month Milan had a €10m offer for Banega turned down by Boca chairman Mauricio Macri, however the Rossoneri have now returned with an improved offer of €16m.

Banega and Boca Juniors should come face to face with Milan in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup next Sunday.

Negotiations will be carried out in Japan over the coming week, and it is expected that both sides will agree to a deal for Banega to join Milan either in January or in the summer.

The Rossoneri have been linked with a number of youngsters recently, and are also said to be close to signing Borussia Monchengladbach winger Marko Marin, referred to by some as the ‘German Cristiano Ronaldo’.

Anybody saw him in action?

I haven't but now I'm eager to watch him play against us in the CWC. I hope he's good and I hope it's true that we've signed him. But Max, I think this would be the beginning of the end for Yoann's Milan adventure I'm afraid...

Plus, if we gonna sign him in January, he would be eligible to play in the CL.

Anybody saw him in action?

I saw him a few months back in the derby game in which River won 2-0, he was very poor and got sent off. Hopefully it was a one-off if we're going to get him. 

I haven't but now I'm eager to watch him play against us in the CWC. I hope he's good and I hope it's true that we've signed him. But Max, I think this would be the beginning of the end for Yoann's Milan adventure I'm afraid...

Anybody saw him in action?