Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is ready to splash out a monumental £70m on new signings for the club.

The Corriere dello Sport claims that the former Italian Prime Minister has finally accepted that the Rossoneri need to invest in some new blood if they are to continue to compete at the top level.

Berlusconi will make £25m available in January, and the remaining £45m will be spent in the summer.

Top of the shopping list according to the Italian newspaper are Azzurri stars Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta, Palermo striker Amauri, Valencia midfielder David Albelda and Lyon’s Kim Kallstrom.

Milan have made the worst start to a domestic season since Berlusconi took over the club 21 years and currently sit in 13th place in the table.

A major factor in the European Champions’ poor form has been their transfer campaign in the summer just past.

Only the 31-year-old Emerson and the 34-year-old Ibrahim Ba, two players way past their best, were brought to the club.

Teenage wonderkid Alexandre Pato was also signed from Internacional, although he is ineligible to play until January.


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Fabio Cannavaro
Why not Barzagli, but Cannavaro?

Gianluca Zambrotta
I adore this player, although he is also above 30yo.

Amauri
I dont think he would be our saver.

David Albelda
Why him?

Kim Kallstrom
What about Gourcuff?

I would honesty love to believe that Silvio would invest £70m on new players but it ain't gonna happen. I've got more chance of winning £70m on the lottery and passing it to Milan to spend

£70m for those? more like £7m

Wow, the fantacalcio for the January window has started early.

Of the list in this article, I'd gladly take Zambrotta. The others...eh. We do need a very good striker, though. Just not sure Amauri's the guy.

£70m spend on these guys??? That would be the worst deal EVER!! I would only take Zambrotta from that list cause he's the only one we need! The others are mediocre players while Canna is too old!

Please... don't waste your money on these guys, it's better if we gave the Primavera's a chance!

(Is that a goal.com article, Darunia?)

Benzema, I'd gladly take. He's VERY good. I'm not that sure Ronaldinho is worth the hype. Drogba, if he stops having balance issues (ie, if he stops diving), I'd not be displeased with.

Yeah .. I heard something about Cannavaro and Zambrotta being Milan targets ... I wouldn't mind both ... But I see it as a far fetched 'fantacalcio' and if anything, the transfers will occur at the end of the season. In anycase, I would be ecstatic if both came.

Actually, the Cannavaro bid won't surprise me much. But it will probably be in the summer. He's probably meant to be our Paolo replacement(for the time being). And he'll play alongside Nesta. That would be fun.

I'd guess that it would make sense, since he's not truly indispensable for Real, and if he moves to Milan it might be his last contract, so maybe chances for a lesser wage.

Then again, I'd expect him to have gone onto Napoli to end his career, esp with them back in Serie A and all.

Zambrotta...yes please!!! I wanted him since the summer before this. He wanted us too. F@ckin Juve were such pussies.

David Albelda is a holding mid. Unless D& G are not happy with Emerson for a model, I don't see a reason.

Amauri?? Thank you..drive through.

Kim Kallstrom?? Where?? Unless Yoann is being loaned out next season or in the winter...I don't see this happening.

Drogba?? Well I dunno. Depends on how Gila plays till winter. And I always got the feeling that Drogba worked excellently with long balls, crosses and such. But that's not really the kind of service he's gonna get from Kaka and Seedorf. So in this case, dst asking for Villa has merit. Which is also why Benzema and Huntelaar would do well too.

Any further reports on the Simic-Zebina swap deal?

R10. I'm bored with this. I think Silvio is too. At least I'd like to think so.
He was the reason Ricardo Oliveira was brought in, and it didn't work out too well. I also get the feeling R10's just gonna come in and do a Rivaldo to us. Just a bad vibe, that's all.


As much as I'd like Ballack he's probably going to Porty's merengues down in Madrid. German coach and all.

The only person left whom I'd like is I guess Huntelaar. Somehow, the Hunter and the Duck sounds very nice to my ears.

But then again, if Pippo's staying on for one more season, and Ajax like us enough to wait a year, that would be much better. But he's almost certainly either for Juve or to Madrid.

WHAT?? Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

It's just what I heard that's all.

IIRC, the Simic-Zebina swap was reported from Tuttosport, which isn't exactly reliable.

(PS - if Milan do sign Zambrotta and/or Cannavaro, I call dibs).

So when's dst taking us out to drinks??

He is saving that for his grand "coming out" day.

I guess it shows some intent, even though the source isn't exactly reliable..

I hope nasri and aguero can get on the shopping list..

Definitely could do some damage with 70m, just lose that current list excluding zambrotta.

I'm still hoping on gila, especially for serie a (Keeping the faith with jacko).

The bad thing is all the potential players being rumoured, although great players, are all around the 30 yrs of age. Not the best way to build the new milan generation.

All I ask is 70m don't got to barca.. unless its for eto'o..

Ya mean the Eto'o that is still injuried? Bah, he's not worth that money,...Drogba and Ballack are full of strenght, motivation and power, that's what we need. So bring them in,..

Haha, my bad I meant some portion of that money for eto'o.

Ballack and drogba are two very good players, I'm not there biggest fans but I wouldn't say no.

Ballack hasn't played football since March and still recovering from injury, so it's too risky. Chelsea won't seel Drogba. One day he wants out, on another he wants to stay. Chelsea just will give him more money to shut him up.

No Ballack thank you!! He's all we don't want!!!

I doubt money will be a factor when ur talking about clubs like Madrid or Milan .. As they have money and history

He's already under a contract and it's not like Chelsea will just let him go. He talked about desire to move and then changed his mind. All he really want is the same salary as Terry and Lampard. He's a king at Chelsea and there is nothing another club can give him that Chelsea can't.

That too might be the case ..Misha. But we don't know exactly what he has in mind, he might have said that he was happy at Chelsea (after the outburst), because he currently plays for the Blues. And then again, u might be right too.

This case is the same as Trezeguet's IMO.

I still think Drogba is up to a move. Especially if Chelsea misses the CL final today. Why would he stay? You'll see, Didier will be one of the biggest transfers in the 2008 summer or even january market..

time will tell

With avram grant regularly rotating the squad, that alone might send him out the door. He earned his place with all the criticism he has gotten but he doesn't get to play in all matches. Jose had the untouchables policy where grant doesn't. That would make a player of his stature quite angry. Money has to do with why he's talking to the media but chelsea isn't the only club who can pay high salaries so what he has said has some truth behind it.

is this true?

Zambrotta would be nice also I'm rooting for Drogba as well

Are you serious? Yes, he's rotating the squad in a CARLING CUP. It's like asking why Kaka hasn't played in a Coppa game against a team like Chievo. In a LEAGUE and CL pretty much the same players have played. Check the facts first.

Milan to spend 70 million pound in the transfer market?! that's a joke! that'd never happen, I'm sure of it.

Now goal is linking us with Kompany and Mertesacker. Anyone watched these guys in the Bundesliga?

I'm just happy we're even looking at defenders.

My friend the HSV fan would be very cross at the Kompany link. He's quite good. Mertesacker is too, I think. Whether they're Milan quality? Not sure. Will try to watch the Bundesliga matches I can on the weekend.

Non so perché, ma sul mercato ci vado spesso" ha dichiarato tra il serio ed il faceto Fabio Cannavaro, "e tante volte il mio nome è stato avvicinato al Milan da quando c'è Ancelotti". I rapporti tra il 34enne difensore del Real ed il tecnico rossonero sono da sempre ottimi. Ma se dovesse sbarcare a Milano, Cannavaro ritroverebbe anche un altra vecchia conoscenza: "Io e Nesta abbiamo formato una discreta coppia insieme, ci siamo divertiti ed abbiamo vinto un mondiale...". Accantonato da Schuster, il difensore campano potrebbe essere ceduto in prestito a Gennaio con la promessa di discuterne la cessione definitiva nell'estate del 2008.

[I don't know why, but I'm often discussed on the market," said a partly serious and partly joking Cannavaro," and many times my name has been linked to Milan where there is Ancelotti ". The relationship between 34 year old Real defender and the rossonero coach have always been optimal. But if he had to go to Milan, Cannavaro would find again also an other old acquaintance: "I and Nesta have formed a great partnership together, where we have fun and have won a world cup...". Set aside by Schuster, the Campania defender could be yielded on loan in January with the promise to discuss of the definitive sale in the summer of 2008.]

link

The quote is from Studio Sport, somewhat gossipy but often pretty reliable.

If he does come, I call dibs. (hands off, dst!)

dst doesn't like Cannavaro...he digs Nesta's hair...

Well then as I'd understand, there would be a conspiracy at work to try and get their hands on one of those two youngsters, when they're at the end of their contracts. Maybe even on a free.

i.e if we're getting Canna now. Coz Canna at his best is still only a short term Paolo replacement. 2 years at the most!!

Never say never z ... Milan have spend that type of money and even more in the 90's and Milan is a privileged club that can always spend that amount and more.

Recently Milan has taken a more economic stance on spending ... Which I agree with as the club has to remain healthy in it's books.

Last season spending sh!t and winning the CL we got 1 mill profit.

While Arsenal have payments to make on a 750 mill dollar stadium. Only Henry's shirts sell. They've won nothing.And they get a profit of 50 mill.

Serie A has to do something about this. Soon, the small clubs will become penniless, even if millionaires purchase them all.

the 90's are gone, boy! we're in the 00's!
I know we HAVE to go to market this time, but 70 million pound is way too much; it's impossible.

The small clubs just got their end of the bargain in tv contracts ... I think that given time, Serie A will go back to being the #1 league in the world. Doesn't draw as many fans as epl or la liga do, but it is today the toughest league of them all. Still we can't compare leagues as there are different fiscal systems in each country.

Milan made that 1 million profit ? Milan was the ONLY Italian team to close it's books with a profit Not so bad for the club, but ain't something Galliani would be braging about too though.

A remedy to increase profit ? Serie A would need to attract much more fans. Marketing wise, it is possible.

Hm. There might be something to the Cannavaro rumors after all. Here's a snippet from Carletto's press conference today:

Cannavaro? E' napoletano, gli piace scherzare, che lui e Nesta siano una bella coppia lo hanno dimostrato parecchie volte in Nazionale.

[Cannavaro? He's Neapolitan, he likes to joke around, that he and Nesta are a good pairing has been demonstrated many times in the Nazionale.]

link

Cannavaro would be very good, even with 34 on his sholders. As for Kompany and Mertesacker, they are just above the average. Not better then Bonera or Simic. Our defenders should remain italian or italian-based.

As for Italy and Serie A,...R7, I must say, I don't share your optimistic vision. Serie A becomes boring and very predictable. The interesting clubs with reputation that build their squads in the 90ties are destroyed - look at Lazio, Parma, even Fiorentina. They just can't compete in Europe. They are miles away from the days of Batigol, Crespo, Veron and Asprilla. Just look at the names of their starting eleven back then. Nowdays, these clubs cannot compete with anyone serious,...

The fact is that TV money is huge in England. Especially because the EPL has the highest market in Asia. English speaking also helps.

In India for instance, almost all the people who watch football are decent English-speakers and have no knowledge of language or interest in Italy or Spain.

Not to mention the commentary which at times, I swear would make you believe for instance that Downing was the greatest thing since I dunno Jairizinho or something.

The Liga matches are shown at midnight or past it. While the late kick off for the EPL is only by 10.30 pm here.

Unfortunately, none of the premium channels even bother broadcasting Serie A. And when they do, the quality doesn't come close to ESPN-Star.Lesser cameras, phlegmatic commentary and the audience volume muted down. Not to mention almost 0 sponsors.

Is it any wonder that Man U-Arsenal etc. have such a huge fan base in Asia?? People just seem more of them that's all.

The only reason people have even the slightest bit of respect for Serie A is coz a 'talented' kid and bunch of has-beens (I swear this is what those commentators said, back in the group stages) did a demolition job on England's finest.

I wouldn't compare Kompany and Mertesacker with Bonera and (even less) Simic.

Kompany is 21, very talented, very strong, with a lot of experience, although too young. He played in CH.L with Anderlecht, now has also experince in Bundesliga and IMO he can become a great player in Milan.

Mertesacker, a first-team choice for Germany NT, has experience and very strong. I saw him more in WC, but didn't see him that much in Bundesliga, although heard good words about him.

While Bonera is a very good sub, but IMO will never be a first-team choice for a team like Milan.

Simic, good sub. Nothing more.

Exactly what is happening here. I think english language link plays a part, but lets face it, Italian football is on the declining with falling attendances, mass exodus of players to spain, england.

You mean he's not?

That's exactly it. If Serie A was beamed all over the World and constantly in your face like the EPL, it'd be just as big, no question.

My point exactly...they would be like...Vidic who??? Ujfalusi for life!!

Never say never .. and .. never say it's impossible

70M, 70Cents, or 700M ... This is AC Milan, there are no constraints economically. There is just a method of discipline in terms of allocating such sums.

If you just tuned into Serie A recently, try to get the 92-93 season of Milan. In that transfer season if I remember correctly (Jack has the tape, he should be even more accurate on that figure) Milan spent close to 90M Pounds Sterling. The season when Lentini and JPP came in. Plus in total Serie A clubs spent over 300M Pounds Sterling. And at that time, you should double the figures to get todays price(s)

But the 90's are gone and we are in 2000 as you say, still we remain with the same board who have the ability to spend such sums and even more, considering Milan's ranking in Europe today.

@Fillipo ... It is only natural that Serie A teams suffer today economically, Parma-Fiorentina-etc, as today there is an even wider audience and most prefer the EPL and La Liga to Serie A. Mostely because of the free flowing game that is not available in Serie A.

Then you have the marketing aspect of things, as Jack said in India (well in Asia as a whole) and let us not forget South America, Africa, Australia, Middle East, and the United States ... These countries pay in Billions of dollars worth of TV rights and other products that help to boost certain leagues.

When you look at the EPL, it is sponsored by the Barkley's bank versus the fact that Serie A isn't sponsored in such a way. And to get into details, I am not that of an expert, but these are things that are visible from my stand point and are hard dry facts.

Of course they can! I didn't mean they don't have the money. I say they're not going to do that, their policy in the market has changed now, for a reason I don't know of, the Milan of nineties wouldn't let Henry and Toni slip through their fingers. unless they're planning to splash out on one player (=R10) which is stupidity.

19 years of healthful transfer policy vs. 2 years of blackout policy makes me belive they are gonna spend some money. Nothing has changed, it's just a blank interval. Of course we're gonna spend much money next summer or even in january. But only for the right things,..

I think things have changed as Galliani said yesterday; they're now more careful with spendings than before. they've found the key to success in keeping a team together for years; which means no unnecessary purchases needed since Favalinho, Grimi, Bonera type of players would do!
But I still think there's one reason for our board to spend 70 million pound: Ronaldinho...