GdS: The 23:58 signing – three reasons Milan pushed for Sottil until the end

As the records will show, AC Milan’s last signing of the January 2025 mercato was Riccardo Sottil – even if Joao Felix was announced later. But why did the club fight for the Italian?

Milan have regularly done things on the wire this season. For example, the 2-1 against Inter and the 3-2 against Parma. Of course, they have also been victims of the timings too. In the mercato though, they found themselves on the right side of the clock.

As the clock reached 11:58 on Monday, February 3, the Rossoneri completed the signing of Sottil from Fiorentina, taking things as close to the wire as it probably gets in the mercato. There may be questions about the reasoning, and today, Gazzetta dello Sport have outlined why the Diavolo made the late move for the winger.

The report starts with the most ‘banal’ reason – his technical attributes. Put simply, the club like his profile, a technical winger that shows unpredictability on the ball, a trait that cannot be had enough of and an arguably ‘more fitting’ Leao deputy.

In the past, the Viola fans have criticised him, but he has never stopped showing his abilities, and when the Franchi gave him a standing ovation, it showed how far he had risen.

Perhaps an equally boring reason is for the registration lists. With a host of international talent joining recently, the club have suffered on the lists, and Sottil’s arrival bridges a gap there, whilst also adding an extra body for ‘free’ in the cups.

The final point refers to the first in many ways. Not only were the club impressed with his growth until now, but they also believe in his path forwards from here. At 25, he still presents an opportunity for the club, and there are few downsides to the decision.