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This summer, AC Milan need to make several signings. That much is a given. However, it will not be easy to get things finalised, especially with the current ideas.
Milan, so far, have gotten three moves completed that will immediately impact the first team; those are Pervis Estupinan, Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci. Though, we cannot forget the signing of Pietro Terracciano.
Savings so far
In this situation, the Rossoneri have moved strongly for all three, eventually getting their prize for doing so. With Modric, the club made assurances over their targets for the season. For Ricci, the groundwork had been laid for months, and then they pounced.
The story with Estupinan differs a little. Milan lost Maxim De Cuyper and Archie Brown, due to sleeping in the mercato. However, there was no chance of it happening again. To their credit, the Diavolo acted quickly and efficiently, whilst still getting a lower price.
This is where the issue begins to emerge. With Ricci and Estupinan, the club have been able to get a discount in negotiations. For Ricci, it was an extreme one; reports believe the club saved somewhere close to €10 million. Whilst Estupinan’s original vlauation was €23m, Igli Tare finalised a deal at €19m, including bonuses.
Now, moving on from those two, the Rossoneri are hoping for similar generosities elsewhere.
Halfway there
So, Milan are in the market for a right-back, a defensive midfielder and a striker. All of which are causing issues currently. At the same time, reports today state that another central defender is hoped for, however, this is not urgent.
In midfield, the big move is for Ardon Jashari. The Diavolo have made several bids now, retracted a final bid, and have now placed an updated final bid on the table. Reports also clarify that this will be the last one. If this bid is not succesful, other routes will be looked at.
What is leaving many frustrated is the dallying taking place, and this is where the debate opens. For many, a perfectly fair bid is on the table, with Igli Tare stating that the club have placed a bid that they feel is reasonable, whilst perhaps slightly generous.
Despite this, Brugge are still asking for a little bit more; without even considering the current offer is record-breaking.
This is where a split emerges. Milan either pay more, and go back on their public word or they lose a target that they have spent two months trying to sign. Neither is positive.
Here the Rossoneri are not seeking to rise their bid any further, but instead rely on the fact that it will be the selling club to move their valuation downwards. Which, in the previous few bids, they have not done.
With the right-back situation, it is not as extreme. After all, the club have been considering their options for sometime, and we could see action shortly after Emerson Royale’s sale. When you look up to the vacant striker position, though, the doubts and worries set in again.
Here, the Rossoneri are actively pursuing Dusan Vlahovic, which is not new news. However, a move will only happen at the end of August. Why? Because either Juventus have to make a move or Vlahovic has to.
Then, there is the daunting third option. Neither moves and Milan are left without the striker striker that Allegri has requested from the off.
Unfortunately, this is also the situation with another target this summer, Goncalo Ramos. The Rossoneri have added him to the list of targets, but the financials are off-putting to the mangement. So, what is the outcome?
To wait.
Rather than to pursue others, the idea is to wait until the end of August to see if a loan is an option. Right now, the Parisian giants only want to sell – if he is to leave the club that is. With time, maybe a loan becomes a possibility. However, it will not be until August where the club know. Another gamble, indeed.
Again, it is a case of financials, as it so commonly is under RedBird. There is no issue in seeking discounts. Relying on them, though, is where the danger emerges. For Vlahovic, it is again understandable, like it is for Jashari.
The Diavolo have a wage structure to uphold and will not sacrifice balance for one player. Fair enough. In the same case, the club have already put down a bid that they feel is fair (and not insulting) for Jashari. Fair enough.
However, the hold up on both, without action to get others back on track until the road is dead, or dead to the club’s finances, is the issue.
Moving forward
Next week, like it has been the case all summer, this debate could be rendered invalid. Milan may have signed Jashari and a striker, Vlahovic in this case. Alternatively, they could have moved onto two other targets.
Throughout the mercato, we have seen things advance very quickly. However, with both of the aforementioned names, there is seemingly a refusal to let it go.
In this case, like it was with Youssouf Fofana, sometimes you need to bite the bullet and pay what is asked for a primary target. If you track someone for two months, why lose them over a few million Euros, which is the case for Jashari. For Vlahovic, it is slightly more understandable, an opportunity to get a player like that at a discount is reasonable.
In a scenario where neither arrive, though, you have sent repeated messages that are now rendered invalid. You have also sent a message to players that they are not held in the same regard as the duo.
In a scenario where you go against your word and put in another bid for Jashari, then you have shown that you are not going to always stay true to what you say publically. Any power gained from that statement lost in minutes.
To summarise, charity is all well and good when you benefit from it, but there is a real chance that seeking hand-outs this summer costs the Rossoneri more than a few million. Instead, it could cost a season and with that, the trust and patience of the fans, which is already wearing thin. A difficult one to weigh up.
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