18m is nothing to this management as you wouldn't be taking it in the context of a transfer budget put plugging up losses.

So no thanks to the 18m

We agree on something else! Yay!

Better keep a list.

F@Ck off. It's not about 18 million, Honda is an asset making us money in Far East Asia. We've had at least 2 Japanese companies sign up as sponsors for us post his arrival and this is without his shirt sales. Heard unverified rumours that he's paid for his wages this season with shirt sales. Giving him the #10 might have been a marketing masterstroke. I know I'm getting his shirt.

Agreed totally, he's a major asset to us marketing wise, even more so now that he's killing it atm on the pitch, easily one of our top players this season. Honda is worth at least double that because of all the positive elements he brings when looking at the entire picture and not just football

In terms of market value, he's giving us at least 60 million new fans given his icon status back in Japan. Add the other Asian markets and, seriously, we've got the biggest Asian footballer around. That's a billion+ audience. That's priceless.

In terms of monetary value, to us he's worth easily £100M. And I'm not being silly. In terms of ability of course he's not the world's best, but on a financial level, he's easily our most valuable asset now. By a long long way.

Hmh interesting numbers. Puts up a very important marketing perspective.

Anyone know what's the latest with Abate? Sounds like Liverpool is after him now, would hate to lose him ...

http://www.football-italia.net/57619/abate-milan-life

I think it's just a matter of time. I'm more worried about De Jong's extension.

Nothing as of yet. I really cannot understand why the management are dragging this out, neither him or De Jong want ludicrous amounts of money, Abate only wants something like 2m per season which is only a minor increase from what he's currently getting and De Jong said he wants to stay as well.

Just ridiculous that they would allow their contracts to run down. These are important 1st team players who have so far this season been 2 of our best performers. Just inconceivable, especially when you take into consideration that they rushed to renew Muntari's contract this summer and gave him a pay hike.

Sometimes that senile tag really fits with Galliani, the man has completely lost it and the more time he stays the further he'll drag this club down. Too bad Silvio is equally as old and senile as he is to recognise the damage Galliani is doing to his club


Players can say that all they want, but if their club is reluctant to give them a new contract they have no choice but to go elsewhere.

The fact that we're not in seemingly any rush to renew their deals mostly shows that we don't view them as important as they truly are to this team. A club who values a player rushes to renew their contract to confirm their position with the club, look at Juve Pogba still has 2 more years and they still renewed his deal now ASAP because not only is he a top player that costs a lot of money, but he's also an invaluable cog in their midfield

Not a nice thing to know, when a player says I'm Milan for life he is bound to be sold within 6 months.

Actually Abate's agent said he himself (Abate) is the one taking his time, not just the club. The offer isn't available just yet but there's apparently 'no rush' and he will be signing such a deal.

Abate's agent is Raiola, the definition of shady. No one should be taking his time with this, the club should just put an offer on the table and have both abate and De Jong sign

+∞

I do agree, but the point is it's not all in Milan's court re: blame.

Abate has repeated multiple times now that he wants to stay/renew his contract. I seriously do not understand why they would let it drag out through to January.

We're linked with Isco or Illara from Real in January on loan.

So there's another couple we can stick on the bench and sub Poli off for on 67 minutes.

Funny, but the sad thing is that you're probably right...

Illara I'm not so sure about, I don't know, Real paid a bucket load of money for him but he's never seemed to get a decent run in the side.

Isco would be a dream to have in the side, can't see Carlo letting him go, he's the type of player he really likes

Not happening, but even if it happens, what's the point in having a player for five months knowing you'll lose him afterwards?

The point is securing CL football.

A team endowed with Bona and MvG COULD achieve that but for God knows what reason Pippo refuses to start either of them.

And until yesterday refused to start Zapata alongside Alex for 6 matches.

I just feel like we get in some good players but they just fill the bench and it's the same old players Pippo (or whoever) starts.

Which negates the 'he hasn't built his own team' argument - he has, he just isn't using half the players he got. Only Alex and Menez of his signings started. No Lopez, Armero, Agazzi (ok ok, I give you that one) MvG, Bona or Torres.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/10/ac...xes-in-january/



He's finished at Milan.

Yep. And in sad fashion.

I can really see Isco, Illa or Khedira wanting to sign up at the San Siro in January now!

would love for reinforcements such as those and you never know, something could be in the works.

Think teams like Madrid, Barca, Chelsea, City, PSG and the likes have acquired a lot of quality talent but are not getting room because of their marquee players being selected. Enter Galliani, there really could be a deal of the sorts, especially with FFP compliance shifting the equation.

Yet would the aforementioned players prefer EPL/Bundeslig to Serie A, that IMO should be the stumbling block. Otherwise, I wouldn't put it far from Galliani to pull something off.

Mediaset says we'll get Suso in January, Pazzini could leave for the MLS, and that we'll return MVG to Chelsea...

Interesting. What's happening with van Ginkel?

My guess is Pippo doesn't like him.

Can't be ability because he's excellent - this is undisputed fact. He'd rather play Muntari and MvG would rather leave - he's here for playing time.

How many times did you see him actually play?

I don't think he has seen him play, but I remember him saying that a few Chelsea supporters had great things to say about MVG.

Same as you. He looked very very good. But my full case is based on dozens of Chelsea fans that I know rating him really highly indeed.

I don't know. My rule is to see and then judge. But his snub of Milan earlier during the transfer period may have had it's share. Perhaps the boy is a bit cocky and thinks he's above Milan.

He's never getting in the Chelsea side. He'll be sold.

Above Milan? Right now so are Genoa, Sampdoria and Lazio.

Van Ginkel's agent:

"The premises at Milan were good. Marco started the season from the bench, and we expected him to start playing once he had adapted to the new league and country. But even after recovering from the injury he hasn't played at all. We're not happy and this goes against any logic.

We've been clear to the club that this was not the agreement we made when Marco decided to come on loan. There was no need to go to Italy if the kid was going to do nothing. I would understand this treatment if Van Ginkel was crap, but someone like him would do more than well in this Milan! Chelsea so far doesn't want to intervene, but they will if the situation persists"

Link

Saint words.

He started tonight, and I considered it a gross insult that he finally starts in a meaningless friendly.

He's a fine player and I think Pippo's treatment of him has been fucking diabolical tbh.

Diabolical? Oh come one.

His agent suggests it, it has p*ssed the player and Chelsea off, and it's sure as hell disgusted me.

So yes, diabolical.

That's bs, the really good players don't go out on loan, they play on their own team.

*cough* Falcao *cough*

He's looked so off at United so far.

You think Mourinho will prefer him over Matic and Ramires? He's only 21, coming from an injury. He only decided to join us on loan so he could grow as a player, not warm the bench which he could have very well done at Chelsea.

True, ACL's never see the player come back to what they were.

Fabregas also plays in the "2", so that's Matic, Ramires and Cesc he's behind.

Exactly. It's no wonder he and his agent are disgusted with his time so far at Milan. It's not like we have a midfield abundant with world class talent. He, De Jong and Bona would have been, for our level, great.

But it's never bloody happened.

For whatever reason, Pippo fancies neither MvG or Bona.

Different cases, Falcao is an established player. I didn't make this clear but I was talking about prospects (not that it normally happens with established players anyway). I can't remember a team loaning out a youngster that was considered a big thing. Yes, teams have made mistakes. Madrid and Barcelona in particular have in the past sold young players they then had to buy back when they came good but when a youngster is destined to be a big thing teams keep him and actually play him sooner rather than later.

I honestly can't think of any such cases, please name some players that I might be forgetting.

Before I do, bear in mind the Chelsea midfield. Matic, Fabregas, with Mikel in backup. Very VERY hard for a youth player to even get on the bench in that team.

But examples of good young players loaned out to get game time? A certain Ignazio Abate...spent 6 years out on loan before he became our first choice RB.

Exactly!

Wilshere at Bolton, Sturridge at Bolton are 2 that come to mind.

Marchisio. On loan to Empoli (2007-2008).