The question is can we play there naturally, or will his performance drop when he plays RW?

He can play on both wings according to what I read.

Watched a couple of youtube vids and he's a very interesting player. Would definitely be worth a gamble considering the asking price is pretty low and he's the kind of profile we need


The Jovic rumours are interesting, but a dry loan is underwhelming. We should at least try to insert an option. If he does well he'd be a natural successor to Ibra.

As for CB, I don't care who at this point, let's just try to bring in someone ASAP

Daniele Longo: AC Milan want to close the deal for Hauge. Tomorrow is a very important day. The first request of FK Bodø/Glimt is around €5M/€6M.


Looks like this could be done rather quickly

From Daniele Longo, who is one of the more reliable sources these days:

#Milan on #Hauge, it's true and confirmed: already yesterday in the post-match the first contacts between the clubs. Even today the Rossoneri are in contact with the #BodoGlimt for the Norwegian gem.

Nuovi aggiornamenti: molto più che interesse, il #Milan vuole chiudere. Domani giornata molto importante. Stando alle indiscrezioni raccolte, prima richiesta è di 5/6 milioni

(Translation: "New updates: more than just interest, Milan wants to close. Tomorrow is very important. Based on rumors, the initial offer is for 5/6M")

I'm strangely excited about this.

He looked really good against us yesterday. Great technique, pacey, good passing and vision. His actions basically resulted in all their best chances.

Looks like he's much more accustomed to playing on the left though, but if we could manage to make him work on the right I think we could have a special player on our hands.

If only he was a lefty...

It would a very interesting welcomed signing nonetheless.

Meh, we have enough lefties on this team, makes me uncomfortable

(sorry lefties)

We only have Castillejo in attack...

I said that in the sense that if he was a lefty then playing on the right would have been his natural position, given the kind of player he is.

I think we can potentially put Rebic on the right...he can play with both feet.

Only issue is that I really like his link up play with Theo.

Rebic can play anywhere, but we've managed to get the best out of him on the left. Pioli even said it today, that we've achieved a certain equilibrium with him on the left.

Yeah, I wouldn't move Rebic from the left.

The fluidity on that left side is one of our biggest threats and we shouldn't mess with that.

I think we are waiting the results of the last EL qualifier to decide how to move (e.g. loan vs investment). We are probably also waiting for "the days of the Condor", lots of teams anxious to sell, not a lot of action in the market this year.

Rebic out for unknown time. Will see if this affects any of our decisions.

Apparently there's no fracture from the first checks. If this is confirmed it shouldn't be more than a month I assume.3

Daniele Longo (Twitter)

Hague:
- We expect a summit between Milan and Hague's agent between today and tomorrow to try to close
- The initial requst was 6M but it is possible to close for 4.5/5M

"Tra oggi e domani previsto summit tra il #Milan e l'agente di #Hauge per provare a chiudere"
"La prima richiesta era stata di 6 milioni ma si può chiuedere a 4.5/5"

Bakayoko:
- PSG is after Bakayoko: Leo likes him

"Il #Psg si inserisce su #Bakayoko: pallino di #Leonardo, pista da seguire"

Ajer:
- Lennon does not want to lose Ajer, Milan is in a hurry and could stop going after the defender

"#Lennon non vuole privarsi di #Ajer, il #Milan ha fretta e potrebbe mollare la presa sul difensore"

NonEvoluto (FB)
- Milan does not appear to have the intention of changing plans despite Rebic's unexpected injury. This is what is being said by sources close to the club. However, it is also worth mentioning that we are at a time of "white lies". We need to complete the squad, period.

"Il #Milan sembrerebbe intenzionato a non cambiare i suoi piani nonostante l'infortunio imprevisto di #Rebic. Questo è quanto filtra da fonti vicine alla società, ma è anche utile segnalare che siamo in periodo di bugie bianche, quelle perdonabili. Serve completare la rosa, punto"

For those of you who do not follow NonEvoluto, he is involved in RadioRossonera (I believe he was one of the people who started it) and posts regularly on Facebook (Milanisti Non Evoluti). He also has a forum there (which I follow). In general, he seems to be well informed (more than a lot of "pundits").

What does "not changing plans" mean exactly though? The Hauge stuff started before Rebic got injured.

I really do hope we close the deal for him, a CM and a CB before this window closes. Inter against Fiorentina demonstrated what a strong bench can do for you, especially with the 5 subs

Di Marzio:"Milan are one step away from Hauge, Massara's denial was diplomatic. The contacts continued today, they are very positive, already tonight or tomorrow an agreement could come. Milan won't leave him in Norway until December, they want him immediately."

Hauge on the right, Fofana* in defense and we're all set. The DM right now is not an extreme necessity because we have three starters playing for two spots.

*I read that he's our primary objective for defense. We need to sell Paqueta to Lyon in order to sign him, otherwise we'll go for Nastasic on loan.

Agreed :-)

EDIT - actually, given the number of games we have to play if we make it to EL, I think we also need a "vice-Kessie" (Krunik does not quite cut it)

BTW, latest name I heard is Tomiyasu (Bologna, plays both CB and RB, scored a beautiful goal against us last year).

Apparently, we did get an offer from Lyon for Paq (18M) but we rejected it.

I believe that in the last couple of days, Massara denied rumors that we are after Hauge. However, multiple sources now say we are almost there. (For example, CM says all is missing is signatures and medical visits.)

11 Genoa players and 3 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. The rumor is that this includes 6 that played against Napoli yesterday. as a reminder, Genoa also played Crotone.

Genoa's game with Torino and possibly Napoli's game with Rube could get postponed.

Paqueta apparently to Lyon is a done deal. Hauge to Milan as well seems almost done, I'm kind of excited about this transfer, he definitely seems like an excellent signing. What does everyone think about this signing? I know we just him in that Europa league match, but he did look like he can make an instant impact in this team because of his position.

I'm expecting us to sign a centerback soon, and call it a day.

I am excited too. Except ... last couple of times I got excited about changes it did not end well, so I being cautiously optimistic for now :-)

Paqueta was hard for us to sell, given recent performance (or lack thereof) and cost (meaning we needed to avoid losses, which would impact us for FFP). With this in mind, it looks like a great deal, meaning we got enough to cover book value plus there seems to be either a 5M bonus or a % of resale profit (or both). I think Elliot helped with this one (as they have a strong influence at Lyon).

Now the only barrier to getting one or two additions is the last EL qualifier on Thursday ...

EDIT: should add that Paq may have a better chance of being successful in France (where games are less more open and less "technical"). So if there is a % on resale we may benefit from him doing well. Regardless, I which him well, I think there is talent and somehow he lost his way with us.

Current rumors:
- We may have made an offer to Saint-Étienne for Fofana. There may also be an offer from Leicester, but they are also after some other EPL defender, so it is not clear what is happening. (As it stands, we cannot compete with EPL teams.)
- If we do not get Fofana, the most likely alternative seem to be Tomiyasu (there are a couple of other names as well)
- We are still linked to Chiesa. Rube is after him as well, but the rumor is that Commisso would rather sell to us even he ends up getting less. I do not believe we have publicly stated what we paid for Rebic (apparently this is not required in Germany), and that may be a factor in an ongoing negotiation. Also, there are rumors that Conti will head the other way as part of the deal.

EDIT - Fofana to Leicester, so no longer an option. Pity.

I don't blame Saint-Étienne. When you have moronic EPL clubs who spend millions on friggin' nobodies, then asking 40M when Leicester are calling is the most reasonable thing to do.

Unfortunately, football has become beyond absurd when it comes to player prices. In the past you'd have big clubs spending large amounts but only for marquee players. Nowadays, any player remotely considered talented is thrown a huge price tag on them, and you always have rich clubs who stupidly go drooling and wasting their money.

Just think of Dembele at Barca. Had a decent season at Dortmund, Barca spend +100 million on him, only to turn out a huge dud. Most emblematic case.

Anyway, back to our business. Not sure on Tomiyasu. He was decent against us last time, but somehow he doesn't convince me. I also read Bologna are asking 25M so that's a big no-no.

I'd rather get Ajer, or even Nastasic.

Definitely excited about Hauge, seems to be the real deal, especially for that price it's a no-brainer.

His performance against us was really impressive.


Yep, we were never going to match a PL side and Fofana seemed keen on moving to England, so he's no longer an option. Not sure if we were ever really serious about him considering the price tag that was slapped onto him.

Tomiyasu looks interesting, plus he's a CB/RB hybrid we seem to be looking at in terms of profiles

Honestly, I think Chiesa is fantacalcio at this point. Fiorentina want too much for him, only Juve can afford him


Both Ajer and Nastasic have their downsides. Plus I read somewhere that Nastasic is injured right now so it wouldn't make any sense for us to go after him.

You are probably right. OTH, despite the apparent interest from Rube, they have to sell first and ... how would they use him?

Do they need to sell, though?

You know, all this talk about signing a defender, and I think, why the hell did we give away Caldara? To this day that operation makes no sense to me. The guy has been fit since he joined Atalanta and has been starting games for them.

Love how this got ignored. Serie A is increasing danger of being postponed.

If it gets, it gets. Nothing to do there.

Technically he is still a a Milan player. In any case, my understanding is that he did not adjust to a 4-man defense. Also, I believe at the time we had Musa and we had just bought Duarte (who turned out to be a major flop). But ... you are right, does not make much sense.

EDIT - we still have Musa, of course, but he has been out forever and it is unclear how fast he will get back to where we can rely on him. Duarte, OTAH, can be relied on to be complete s**t.

I believe they do. Latest news is that there is an agreement to get him on loan, but is contingent on them getting rid of Douglas Costa.

Mixed feelings about that. Chiesa has moments of brilliance and then completely disappears in some games.

I read that in my head as 'bada bing bada boom'.

Only because Chiesa doesn't want to renew his contract. But I don't think Fiorentina are in need of money.

OK, I mis-understood what you were saying :-). Fiorentina does not need to sell (though they may end up with reduced value next year). Rube needs to sell before they buy (based on what I read).

Gazzetta suggesting that we won't sign anyone in defense but we'll wait for Romagnoli and Musacchio's recoveries instead.

News sources seem to be rather clueless as to what is actually going on at Milan. So I hope this is not the case. That said, there is very little time left.

Man, every 5 hours it's different names all over again.

Now Mediaset saying we're back in pole for Rudiger, with Nacho ( ), Pezzella ( ), and Nastasic also in consideration.

We also seem close to signing Diogo Dalot from ManUtd, fullback who can play on both sides. Betis are interested in Laxalt, and Fiorentina in Conti (if true can't we include him in the Milenkovic deal?).

Latest reports are saying he'd be used as a wingback, which is just.... Blasphemy I say

What a waste, and typical Juve, buying players for the sole purpose of weakening the competition. They have Kulusevski, Chiesa is an idiot to move there


Yes, they have too many players in that position now. Add to that their wage bill is insane and not sustainable.


Nah, he never showed anything with us, aside from the endless injuries that is.

Defenders who look great playing in a back 3 should not be touched, even with a 10-foot pole. They always flatter to deceive.


Nah, don't think they will.

The rules are clear, if too many players are out due to infections, a postponement of the fixture is attempted, if it is not possible due to conflicts in fixtures, the team simply loses the match 3-0. It's harsh, but those are the rules. I don't think they will suspend sports again.


I'd take Costa...

Anyways, Di Marzio is saying we're very close to closing out loan deals for both Diego Dalot and Rudiger from Man U and Chelsea respectively

@SimoneCristao: Diogo Dalot to AC Milan is a done deal


He seems interesting. Looks to be fast, can play on both sides of the pitch. Probably not so solid defensively from what I've seen he looks almost like an RM rather than a FB

Interesting that we could get both Rudiger and this guy on dry loans. It's obvious we're taking both of them as stop gap solutions. In the event of getting top 4, we'll most likely aim for better profiles

But I do think that both players will add quality to the team especially in the positions they play

I got mixed feelings about dry loans. They make sense if you are getting an experienced player as a stopgap measure, with the goal of buying someone later, perhaps when you can afford better options. Rudiger falls under this category. It makes less sense if you are developing a younger player in behalf of some other team. With Diaz, at least there are rumors that we will negotiate terms for buying him in the future. OTOH, Dalot is less experienced and there appears to be no chance of a deal (ManU is asking for way too much).

This mercato is turning out to be a bit of a disappointment. I like the fact that we are not overpaying for players (transfer fee or salary). That was the problem with B&G (towards the end), F&M, and even Leo. We are still suffering for these mistakes BTW, hard to get rid of fodder that was too expensive (so we cannot sell below a certain amount if we want to avoid a minusvalenza) and/or on too high a salary (so midtable teams will not touch them). That is why it is so hard to get rid of the likes of Laxalt and Conti (or, even worse, Halilović). With the current management, it seems like someone in the back room determines the value for a player and we do not go past that amount (somewhere I read that we now have a team of analysts that look at players kind of like in MoneyBall). I also like the fact that we operate mostly in the background, so most of what you read is speculations from journalists or pundits, with little behind that. Real moves seem to happen quickly.

OTOH, we have glaring gaps in our team. First team as well as depth (the latter became obvious in our last EL qualifiers). We will struggle to make CL with the present team.

It appears that Paolo and Massara barely had a 30m budget to operate within, and even that is a bit over in terms of an estimate.

But thinking within those terms, we have improved our team. Dalot might be a dry loan, but should he do well and we want to keep him we might be in a better position to negotiate with Man U next summer. Same goes for Diaz, plus we have an excellent relationship with Real so that should help.

And yes, we are still paying for the mistakes made in the past. Halilovic earns close to 1m net per year if I am not mistaken. He's barely good enough to play in a Serie C team. Laxalt earns more than Theo(!), this makes it hard to offload these players. At this rate we're going to have an over0inflated squad.

I still think we've had a very good mercato considering the circumstances. We don't want to tip over and have to pull out of the EL again due to our finances. Considering we sold players like Suso, Piantek and Paqueta for decent money I had hoped we'd be able to spend a bit more, but I would assume that money goes into plugging the yearly losses we make, due to very low profits.

I still think we need to try and sell a few more players. Conti, Laxalt, Duarte should all be sold in these next few days. There seems to be interest in Laxalt but let's see if we can get any actual money for him. Conti has been linked to Fiorentina and Duarte is just a waste of space, should try to send him on loan, especially if a new CB is coming. I'd also try to cut our losses with Samu. I'd also send Colombo on loan, he's nowhere near good enough to play Serie A games, no use keeping him when he won't be seeing any minutes

Recent rumours are linking us heavily with Kabak. If we can get that done, I'd rate our mercato a 7/10. We're still missing a top notch RW and I'd have liked Bakayoko back, but you can't get them all, and there's always January.

Just saw this from PBPCalcio

An important info learned about #DiogoDalot :

The situation is the same as that of #BrahimDiaz . The #Milan to speed up the agreement, given the tight deadline, it closed with a dry loan with the agreement to discuss the possible redemption later with the #United

So it seems we went for the dry loan to speed up the process due to the short time left. We'll go back and discuss an option to buy figure with Manu U later in the season

That is good to know. Diaz could be a good player for us, even though he is still adjusting. From what I hear most ManU fans rate Dalot, and he can cover multiple roles.

Good to see a positive outlook :-). There are good signs, but we really need CL!

Isn't Kabak the one we were after last summer and ended up picking Schalke instead?

No doubt we need the CL, the problem is that our hands are tied in terms of how much we're able to spend. FFP is such a f@cking joke. Clubs need to band together and demand UEFA change the rules. At this point it simply allows the rich to get richer and clubs who do not make astronomical profits to never be able to come out of their situations. Unless you're a team like City or PSG who can funnel funds through ridiculous sponsorships, you're f'd

Yes, same guy. I think the main thing was him wanting to stay in Germany rather than rejecting us

But we've apparently already agreed personal terms with him, we're trying to haggle Shalke now. Don't know if we'll be able to do it, but he'd be a great addition to the team, plus he's still only 20 years old

FFP is ruining football.

Kabak seems to be very highly rated, he's only 20, and can even play as DM in case of emergency. Schalke are asking 25M for him, which IMO is a very decent price.

We should stop acting like cheapskates, throwing a 15M price-tag on ever CB we're being linked with. We'll never get good players this way. We already got a good 50M from Suso, Paqueta and Rodriguez.