Reports: Milan stall on Liberali-Catanzaro deal – renegotiation requested amid Torino hijack

Mattia Liberali’s move to Catanzaro was believed to have been finalised, but there could yet be a turn in events.

A number of sources reported in recent days that Catanzaro are very close to signing Liberali from Milan. The Serie B club are currently working with the player’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, to finalise his arrival in what would be a permanent deal.

The Rossoneri would not get a transfer fee but would retain 50% of the proceeds in any future sale, as per the reports. We explained in a Substack article over the weekend what the significance of such a clause is, and how certain precedents show Milan’s openness to the solution.

‘Approval still missing’

Now, Matteo Moretto has given an update on the situation during a video on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel, and he confirmed that as things stand the deal will not go through.

“Liberali was considered a done deal to Catanzaro on a permanent basis, but Milan have not yet given the green light, there are details to be resolved. Tomorrow [today] it will be clear if the deal can be definitively unlocked, as of now under those conditions it is not a done deal,” the journalist said.

Nicolo Schira adds: “Plot twist: despite the flight already booked and the medical examinations carried out in the past few hours, Mattia Liberali did not board this morning headed for Calabria.

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

“The green light from Milan is missing, as they would like to renegotiate the terms of the transfer of the playmaker, who thus had to postpone his arrival in Catanzaro, where they were expecting him at lunchtime for the signing. The yellow-reds are irritated by the Rossoneri’s backtrack.

“Catanzaro fear that behind Milan’s slowdown, there is the intervention of a Serie A club that has reportedly offered nearly €1m to sign Mattia Liberali. However, the yellow-reds are confident in the agreement reached with the player (a four-year contract), which would give him space and consistency to play and shine in yellow-red.

“Milan could now ask Catanzaro to include a buy-back option or a small compensation instead of a free transfer with 50% on the future sale. Talks are ongoing. Torino are the club trying to hijack the deal between Catanzaro and Milan for Liberali.”