Moretto: Milan tried for Fiorentina star before ‘completing’ defence with De Winter

Matteo Moretto has revealed some of the background on AC Milan’s attempt to sign Pietro Comuzzo, before turning to Koni De Winter.

When news broke on Saturday that Malick Thiaw was all set to join Newcastle United in an operation worth €40m including bonuses, the management instantly started looking for replacements. Giovanni Leoni of Parma and Comuzzo were the main names instantly linked.

However, in the end it was a blitz for De Winter that ended up happening on Sunday. Within 24 hours, the Rossoneri closed a €20m operation for the Belgian, who Massimiliano Allegri knows well from his time in the Juventus youth sector.

From Comuzzo to De Winter

Moretto spoke in a video published on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel about the De Winter operation, revealing that the Viola man did indeed seem to be the priority target.

“Malick Thiaw has already flown to England to undergo his medical with Newcastle. Milan immediately got to work to find the German’s replacement. One of the first to be contacted was Fiorentina’s Pietro Comuzzo, who was seen in via Aldo Rossi as the right profile for the Diavolo,” he said (via MilanNews).

“However, on Sunday the Rossoneri made some internal evaluations on the Comuzzo operation, which was deemed a bit too expensive. And so the Rossoneri switched to the De Winter alternative.

Photos: Angel Martinez + Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

“Within a few hours this deal was closed, a verbal agreement with Genoa for a total of 20 million euros, with bonuses included that are easily achievable. The player is ready with a contract worth 1.7 million euros net per season.

“We remind you that 15% of this operation will go to Juventus, who had a percentage on the future resale. To fully finalise the De Winter deal, all that’s missing is the exchange of documents, expected in the next few hours, and then the player will have the green light to travel to Milan for his medical.

“Everything’s done, however, and De Winter will soon be a new Milan player. Will Milan look for another central defender? So far, the indications we have are that Milan won’t be looking for another central defender, and therefore, with De Winter, the defence is complete.”