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The switch from having Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulling the strings to Igli Tare doing so is showing in AC Milan’s mercato, a journalist has claimed.
When Malick Thiaw’s exit to Newcastle United is made official by both clubs – as should happen this week – Milan will have surpassed €150m in proceeds from sales this summer alone, per the figures reported by reputable sources.
Of course the indication of a good management is how they then reinvest the money from sales, but the Rossoneri have been fighting a losing battle on the front of selling players for years now. This summer, since Tare’s arrival, it does feel a bit different.
‘The music has changed’
Michele Criscitiello – the editor of Sportitalia – has posted his weekly column on the website and offered his thoughts on the business that the Diavolo have been doing.
“The true sporting director isn’t the one who’s good at buying for millions of euros, but must have the ability to sell, to bring money into the club’s coffers and know how to buy low and sell high,” he begins.
“If the morning is a good indicator of the day, Milan has gone from Ibra to Tare, and the first results are showing. Partial clean-up and total cash-in. Making so much money with a team coming off a disastrous season wasn’t easy, yet Milan are succeeding.
“We don’t yet know whether they’re buying well, and whether this Milan will be stronger. The fact is that Furlani laughs and revels in the million-dollar sales. Let’s make a couple of Excel spreadsheets, just the way King George likes it.
“Thiaw leaves, and Casa Milan will receive 35 million euros, plus maybe 5 million in the future. Reijnders should have been kept, true, but if they offer you 55 + 16, no Italian club can keep him. Royal leaves, and you get 9 million euros. Tare should be reported.
“Morata was a liability for Milan, and between Galatasaray and Como, he’ll earn €15 million. Allegri has taken a burden and a problem off his shoulders: Theo Hernandez in Saudi Arabia has brought €20 million + €5 million in future bonuses to Furlani’s payroll.
“You even got a tip for Sportiello: one million. 14 million from Juve for Kalulu’s buyout + 3 million in bonuses. 3.5 from Pellegrino, 8 million from Pobega between loan and obligation to buy, and if Genoa survives, you’ll get 10 million euros for Colombo. In short, the music has changed.
“Then, of course, this money will need to be reinvested and spent well. Some of it has already disappeared, but others will be needed for a serious striker, because whoever spent €35 million in January on Gimenez, who will be a reserve, perhaps overdid it a bit.
“Meanwhile, AC Milan is thinking big, and with Allegri, enthusiasm is growing. On Sunday, San Siro reopens its gates for the Coppa Italia against Bari. The cup they trivially lost in Rome to Bologna. And the risk of a poor showing is always around the corner for the big clubs.
“Last summer, Conte was almost out of luck at home against Modena. Then it’s the league. AC Milan must try to win it. Inter and Juve are not infallible. Napoli is the strongest, but the European trap could cause Conte to lose points in the league.
“The Roman teams aren’t ready for the title, Atalanta risks falling, and Fiorentina will be the eternal and usual unfinished business. As always, we’ll have fun fighting for survival.”
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