After weeks of speculation and (literally) hundreds of targets linked the summer transfer window will shut tonight, and AC Milan are expected to be busy.
The summer mercato closes at 20:00 CEST tonight, and we at SempreMilan will guide you through the final few hours of the window. There is expected to be some late movement, so sit back and enjoy!
18.45 – HERE WE GO AGAIN!
Divock Origi will join Nottingham Forest on loan, as per several sources. There will also be a €m buy-out clause and the English side will cover the entire salary.
18:30 – HERE WE GO!
Luka Jovic has arrived at Casa Milan to complete his move to the Rossoneri. He will arrive on a season-long loan and will thus be the replacement for Colombo.
18:01 CEST – LATE DRAMA?!
Time is running out, but we have learned that Milan have begun contacts over a potential last-minute swoop for Luka Jovic having hit a wall in their pursuit of Rafa Mir. Full story here.
17:39 CEST – Could that be the final nail in the hopes of signing a striker? Sevilla have rejected Milan’s offer for Rafa Mir because they do not have enough time to try and find a replacement for him, Luca Bianchin reports.
17:25 CEST – Another one bites the dust. This isn’t a heartbreaking development, but Mason Burstow – mentioned earlier in this blog as a potential loan option for Milan – is close to joining Sunderland.
16:15 CEST – We’re trying our best to keep you updated in real time. The latest from Calciomercato.com is that Milan tried to include Origi in the Rafa Mir deal, while Di Marzio is claiming Sevilla want a replacement first and that the Daka deal isn’t completely dead yet. Read more here.
The amount off caffeine consumed by our staff today must be an all-time high.
15:40 CEST – DEAL ANNOUNCED!
Lorenzo Colombo has completed his loan move to Monza, as announced by AC Milan. He has also renewed his contract with the Rossoneri until 2028.
14:47 CEST – Milan made a late move to loan Canada international Jonathan David from Lille last night but it was rejected, according to CBS Sports.
14:15 CEST – Milan are in negotiations with Sevilla to try an agree a deal for Rafa Mir but there are some disagreements between Spanish and Italian sources about the formula.
13:46 CEST – Burnley want to sign Divock Origi before the transfer window closes but they are unlikely to see their offer accepted by AC Milan, according to Di Marzio.
13:15 CEST – DEAL AGREED KLAXON!
Sky and other sources are reporting that Milan have agreed a deal with Leicester for Daka, as well as terms with the player. Now they are racing to get his work permit done.
12:50 CEST – MILAN* HAVE SIGNED A STRIKER!
*Ok, it’s the Primavera. Still, the club have announced the signing of centre-forward Alexander Simmelhack from FC Copenhagen on an initial loan deal.
12:25 – CEST – Milan have got Vangelis Pavlidis on their list of targets for the centre-forward role but it seems to be too complicated to get done in such a short space of time, reports claim.
11:50 CEST – Divock Origi could be Olivier Giroud’s deputy. No, seriously. If he doesn’t secure an exit and Milan don’t get a signing through the door, La Gazzetta claim he might be brought back into the fold.
11:23 CEST – We have received confirmation through our colleagues at SempreMilan.it that Milan made an enquiry about signing Antonio Sanabria from Torino.
11:05 CEST – More reports are confirming that Milan are making a deadline day attempt to sign Patson Daka from Leicester City, but they have some negotiating to do over the formula.
10:30 CEST – Milan made a late enquiry about signing Sasa Kalajdzic from Wolves but it went no further than that, according to TMW.
09:56 CEST – More names continue to be linked as the minutes tick by. Luca Bianchin of La Gazzetta dello Sport write that Luka Jovic on loan is a possibility, Antonio Sanabria of Torino is liked and Pavlidis has been on the list since July.
09:46 CEST – Sky claim that the latest idea is Zambian centre-forward Patson Daka who could leave Leicester City on favourable terms after their relegation to the Championship. He played with Noah Okafor at Red Bull Salzburg.
09:27 CEST – Mason Burstow is being considered as a loan option, as per Sky last night. The Chelsea centre-forward would arrive to replace Colombo, who is now close to moving on loan to Monza.
09:13 CEST – Divock Origi could yet get his move back to the Premier League, with as many as three clubs keen on a deadline day loan move.
🏴 A return to the Premier League could be a deadline day possibility for Origi with Burnley, Fulham and Nottingham Forest interested according to @SkySport.
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) September 1, 2023
08:48 CEST – Taremi may have vanished as an option for Milan but they seem determined to try and sign a striker. Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that an AZ Alkmaar and Real Betis duo are on the management’s list.
08:30 CEST – Milan’s negotiations over Mehdi Taremi are pretty much at a dead end with no substantial movements having been made yesterday. You can read why it fell apart here.
Alkmaar will not sell Pavlidis, Mason Burstow nope, Luka Jovic never, Antonio Sanabria better than every other name mentioned before, Patson Daka looks more like a Sadio Mane type player to me. Overall none of them are the ideal type we should go for, What do you guys think?
If I was Pioli, I would ask for Patson Daka
Daka seems good, he is fast and know how to press. But he is Not that Giroud Type of player.
Atleast lets get rid of the toxic Origi. Rather play with Okafor as a false 9 then him.
Not liking this ‘rush’ deadline day. Taremi was a gamble from the management to get the lowest price possible ’till the very last day but didn’t pay off. So we move. Just stick on what we got. And let’s evaluate on the the next winter.
If Colombo goes to monza, we Need another forward…
Colombo to Monza’s already done now. That’s why I used the term ‘gamble’. We already gave our words to Monza while assuming we’ll seal that Taremi’s deal. There’s a discourse to integrate Origi (yes yes I know how that sounds) back again, so there’s another idea.
Oh come on this is only their entire job and it’s not like we’re dealing with the serious issue of elite athletes.
I mean don’t they have DEADLINE DAY madness in every sport?
No?
Just football?
Actual horse trading is done with more planning and strategy.
what rush? This is just bonus we finished our main business ages ago, why are you getting stressed out from a situation you arent even doing anything with lol.
Yep – another striker is the icing on the cake. This mercato has been pitch perfect so far and still people are whining… I’m sure we’ll get a decent striker before the window closes anyway.
Finished our business?
A striker was probably one of our main areas of weakness if we were going to give up on Origi, CDK, Colombo etc etc etc etc
A 20 goal a season striker is literally the difference between a top finish and obscurity.
But, no, we signed 3 CMs and 3 RWs…….as you do.
We finished 4th with the exact same strikers we currently have except we have revitalized the attack with three new additions in Okafor, Chuky, and Pulisic. To say that signing another #9 is all that stands between us and “obscurity” isn’t just wrong, it’s melodramatic too.
Maybe Oliver scores 20 goals this season with a good RW ✌️
Fair point!
Can we please make up our minds?
Either:
a) we ‘only’ finished 4th so had to sack almost our entire back room, and change 50% of the squad;
OR
b) we bagged a third Champions League qualification in a row so needed some targeted signings INCLUDING A STRIKER SO WE COULD BEAT CREMONESE!!!
A striker is THE difference maker. Forget about having 6 CBs or however many we now have in our massive squad, a striker is the difference between success and failure. That’s why they cost so much money, and why you don’t spaf money away on 10 signings!
It’s the same old hysteria just moving from subject to subject:
“These yanks won’t spend any money! Oh wait, they have…” “No one will sign for Milan without Maldini! Oh, they are…” “Our midfield is ruined without Tonali! Oh…it isn’t…”
“Now we bought too many players – it’s too disruptive! THEY WON’T GEL!!!”
Oh, wait….
I’ve been saying the same thing for 15 years……
I know people think this is the GREATEST TRANSFER WINDOW OF ALL TIME but I would suggest that when we signed Kjaer and Ibra in January 2020 it transformed us from mid table to title winners almost instantly.
That’s how big a difference targeted signings make. So faced with the catastrophe of ‘only’ finishing 4th and getting to the semi-finals of Champions League, the sensible thing would’ve to go out and sign another Kjaer and Ibra (particularly with one of them retiring and one winding down).
But instead we signed 3 CMs, 3 RWs and some random player in Okafor who can play striker but we don’t like to admit it in case w don’t crush his confidence.
@MH – I swear your posts get more confusing day by day. So you’d rather we didn’t sign Pulisic, Reijnders, Cheek, Chuk etc and just sign two old dudes? One in defense one in attack? Job done?
I really fancy myself as a broken record….
The point about those two (we didn’t need a CB but we definitely needed a leader) is the impact just 2 signings had on a mid table team.
That’s how impactful well targeted signings are.
Most of our signings individually are decent but collectively they’re tripping over each other.
Why did we sign 3 RWs?
Why did we sign Okafor – to only play on the left?
Why didn’t we sign a striker when a striker can make all of the difference, and we lost 15 points last season to the bottom teams because we struggled to score?
I really fancy myself as a broken record….
The point about those two (we didn’t need a CB but we definitely needed a leader) is the impact just 2 signings had on a mid table team.
That’s how impactful well targeted signings are.
Most of our signings individually are decent but collectively they’re tripping over each other.
Why did we sign 3 RWs?
Why did we sign Okafor – to only play on the left?
Why didn’t we sign a striker when a striker can make all of the difference, and we lost 15 points last season to the bottom teams because we struggled to score?
Our cash isnt infinite, we addressed what last window didnt address, it will take time for our method to work, we arent an Oil club
I dunno why people keep thinking that Redbird has some sort of magic funds they aint using, we are also under UEFA settlement agreement
Be Realistic
Realistic?
This is about prioritising whatever funds you do have available.
As far back as February or March I said I didn’t care how much money the board made available, we just needed to spend it wisely and on targeted signings – a CM, a RW and a CF in that order of priority.
Also if you have limited funds you don’t just write off multimillion Euro elite athletes/assets/stuff like CDK and Origi. You say to your manager: “It’s up to you to make these players play to their potential.’
This is literally what happens in every normal sport and business.
What manager after their team meets and surpasses expectations goes out and sacks half their team and brings in a whole load of new people?
There is no logic, no planning, no strategy. It is ego, bull s#$t and media hype.
right, for over a decade we cried about not having depth, last season it nearly cost us top 4, you underestimate the need for depth, I don’t
CDK was also crap, I dunno why people suddenly think he is world class after ONE goal.
We sacked half our team? I didnt know Diaz CDK and Tonali is half our team, wow nice 10/10 math
A need of decent striker was our top 3 priorities to fill in the beginning of the window. Looks like it all sorted out when Okafor joined. That’s why all the news about new striker were cooling down. But along the way he’s more suited as a Winger / SS (something that should have been sorted out long before the deal), that’s why the discourse of new striker rising up again.
‘Why are you getting stressed out from a situation you arent even doing anything with lol’
Why are you getting attached to something that you’re not doing anything for? Why are you being a fan? Where’s the logic?
I still think Okafor is the obvious answer and am concerned about just how rigid Pioli is being if he thinks he can’t play CF.
The issue is that this farce is not exactly giving Okafor much confidence. Like imagine you were at work and your employer was desperately scrambling round trying to find a replacement…..
No it wasnt, our priority was FIXING the mess of last window and getting enough depth to compete in multiple competitions
Clearly you’ve missed the entire summer and just want to complain about every little thing
This striker transfer is a BONUS, our strategy this summer was get all our MAIN targets done early so Pioli has time to meet and train them before the season starts, WE DID THAT. Thats why the new players look ready instead of lost from week 1 -_-
Nope, credit where credit’s due. I had my doubt, but if you saw my posts in this forum, I’m not hiding myself in stating good words towards the management.
As I said, I thought the Striker post was all done after Okafor (and Colombo still around). All of the sudden, Pioli said the he’s more suited to the other role. This kind of coordination should’ve been better, considering the so called same problem with the prior management.
I give credits and I give critics. All seems fair.
What a weird feeling when half the team has changed during a delirious frenzy of transfers but we still don’t have a backup LB and a striker to rotate with 37 yo Giroud. Let’s pray la Madonnina that we avoid injuries.
They promote backup LB from primavera.
It’s a farce.
We have 3 RWs.
And what is the point of Okafor?
Everyone keeps saying he’s our specialist-one-position-only-thou-shalt-not-play-in-any-other-position-pigeon-holed-Zoolander-can’t-turn-left-Rebic-replacement.
I mean surely one of the 3 other wingers could’ve covered LW?
I know, I know footballers can ONLY play in ONE position.
It’s an absolute farce.
All our wingers can play both wings, are you high? Pulisic is mainly a LWer but he is talented enough to make do on the right
If Okafor was ment only as a LW back up, then it was smarter to keep Salamakers as LW back up and use the money for Okafor for a real CF. 14mil for Okafor plus the 15mil they are offering for striker now thats 29mil. Scamaca went in Atalanta for 25 smh.
Iheanacho?
These names are completely different kinds of forwards. It seems a bit arbitrary to me.
Daka, seems like the most exciting alternative, but I admit that I have not seen very much of him.
Duvan Zapata would be a good option!
I guess we are not signing a DM?
I like Adli but he is not a number 6.
Who will cover for Krunic when he is tired, injured or suspended?
Adli. Pioli confirmed it.
Also Reijnders and Musah seemingly can play there also if needed.
We have started well v Bologna and Torino.
However playing PSG, Dortmund and Newcastle is another level!
I would be very concerned if Adli was starting as DM against those teams.
Also Reijnders would be wasted in that position and Musah is still very young and more of a Mezzala.
Lucky our current DM was central to getting us to the semi-finals of the Champions League a few months ago.
I know, I know, it never happened, and we played with 4 players against Napoli and Tottenham….and, and, and Napoli and Tottenham were just Napoli and Tottenham. I mean Napoli? They did nothing last season……
“Who will cover for Krunic when he is tired, injured or suspended?”
I’m not sure you understood my question
Oh sorry (genuinely sorry, I admit to being easily triggered during the transfer window but it will close soon….).
Good point. But didn’t we sign like 3 CMs???
And who knows Adli might turn into the new Pirlo!
Dude we get it you really rate Krunic.
Well you have your wish now – he’s our starting ball winner for the season, and I hope he finds another level and has an absolute stormer.
I only ask that if – as I predict, he gets found out against more intense opposition (exactly like he did against spurs), and he is relegated to the role of deputy to a proper defensive midfielder next summer, you accept that he WAS given a chance.
Newcastle another level lmao, the team that cant beat a 10-man Liverpool, so scary
We lost against 10men Torino too. 🤷🏾♂️
Newcastle are another level to Bologna and Torino. Yes 100%
Or do you think Bologna and Torino could finish top 4 in EPL?
As you said lmao
We have pobega to cover for krunic, not ideal but he can do it against smaller teams!
and what about romero can he not play forward he has a crazy shot
Terami was the answer, I don’t like any of these panic suggestions.
At this point anything needs to be loan with an OPTION or to be honest just keep Origi.
Not being pessimistic but lets face it – there is a very real chance we will only have 6 European ties this season. I would rather we sign the right player next summer.
I don’t disagree, but the way this summer went, I think we’re gonna get a temporary solution for the current season and target a more serious signing next summer.
Mir looks like a tall drink of water, but a useless one in terms of goal scoring. maybe it’s due to play time. Maybe not. But if he sets up others to score and puts away 3-4 goals, I’m OK with it.
Yeah I think when I typed that last message we were being linked with everyone and their dog (Burstow is a word I’d never heard before this morning :D).
Unless we pull off a miracle it looks like either Mir or Daka (apparently not dead yet) on loan, or keep Origi at this point. None of which I’m particularly excited or devastated by, but whoever our deputy striker is at 8:01 tonight, this window has been our best in a long, long time.
@ papa_frezz It’s not about Krunic, it’s about backing the actual players who actually helped us win the title.
Given he and others actually helped us win the title and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League why can’t YOU accept him?
Your attitude has allowed the directors to dismantle a title winning side because you can never be satisfied. You are actually using the Spurs game as an example when we kept two clean sheets in those two games and 3 essential clean sheets in 4 games with Krunic playing every minute.
You cannot bring yourself to acknowledge his role in that.
So what exactly does he need to do to win your favour?
He doesn’t need to do anything to win my favour, he’s a SOLID player and I’ve never said otherwise. I don’t think he’s good enough to command a starting role in a leading side, but as I’ve said many times, you can’t sign a whole new team in one window.
It’s great that you think he’s brilliant, I’m happy for you – every football fan has a different take on the game. I’m not replying to you to tell you you’re wrong, I’m replying to suggest that maybe you don’t have to keep telling everyone that you’re right.
The dismantle thing AGAIN?!?! I’ll do it quicker this time…
Kessie wanted to go, the Tonali money was too good to turn down, Madrid wanted Diaz back, Ibra retired. We let the right side from that team leave this season and so far one of their replacements has made more of an impact in two matches than they made together all of last season. I don’t know what part of any of that looks like someone willingly dismantled something special.
But ok, if us actually looking more complete this season is somehow my fault, then I’ll take that.
@Maldinis heir we signed 3 cm’s because we sold Tonali, Bennacer is out until January, and Musah has brilliant potential.
Boulaye Dia of Salernitana. 15 mill max. Proven in the leauge and nows how to play ball…
15 mil max in your dreams? He has a 25m release clause, we aint paying that.
Stop stressing out …We have got the best squad possible …We have got a centre forward who will score goals this season ,,,in case you have all forgotten his name is Olivier Giroud…Yes I expect him to score 20 goals this season ( no doubt) about that
He already has 3 goals in 2 games .of course he will perhaps need a rest from time to time ,just as all other squad members will ,over the course of a long season ,but we have the players we need to rotate.
If the situation does happen,then who knows Origi could come into the equation,,,the man did nothing last year ,and I agree with all of you on that ,but I have got a feeling,that he may have a point to prove to all of us! in fact of all the backup for Olivier mentioned,
Origi is equal perhaps to most of them ?
The fact remains that we have an incredible team ,a team that will Giroud included score many many goals
Yes Olivier 20 pulisic 20 Rafeo leao 15 plus as many assists,,,then Loftus cheek will also weigh in with a few goals ,and create loads also …onto Loftus ,,he could turn out to be our best signing this season ,just as Giroud was two seasons ago ..Loftus has such physical height and strength which we lacked in midfield,,,he has also got great pace ,and he can also help the defence out when needed …My only concern about Loftus was / is his fitness,,,but the issue seems to be good at the moment …would be surprised for him to get a international call up ,,,just my thoughts.
Now for the best news ..we will challenge for the scuddeto this season ..
I actually love you and your relentless enthusiasm for Giroud.
hes annoying af.. havent read a single rant from him after the first
Yes I have watched Giroud play so many times over the years ,and his has such awesome experience of how to bring his team mates into the game …many defenders will tell you that the most difficult man to man mark is Olivier .,he instincts inside and around the 18 yard area are second to none ..That’s one of the reasons he is still playing for his country..He will definitely score 20 goals this season …he has 3 already ..Of course that is if he doesn’t get injured,but that applies to all players.
I believe he will score again tonight against Roma .
Yes this man is absolutely class …this season just look who is playing alongside him Rafeol leao and pulisic
The 3 of them could easily score 50 plus goals ..
So I certainly believe that we can win the scuddeto this season ..Yes I am a huge fan of olivier Giroud..
When we signed him I said we would win the scuddeto,which we did …just imagine if we did ..
Yes I have watched Giroud play so many times over the years ,and his has such awesome experience of how to bring his team mates into the game …many defenders will tell you that the most difficult man to man mark is Olivier .,he instincts inside and around the 18 yard area are second to none ..That’s one of the reasons he is still playing for his country..He will definitely score 20 goals this season …he has 3 already ..Of course that is if he doesn’t get injured,but that applies to all players.
I believe he will score again tonight against Roma .
Yes this man is absolutely class …this season just look who is playing alongside him Rafeol leao and pulisic
The 3 of them could easily score sixty plus goals ..
So I certainly believe that we can win the scuddeto this season ..Yes I am a huge fan of olivier Giroud..
When we signed him I said we would win the scuddeto,which we did …just imagine if we did it again.
Why not .
We have such an exciting side ..
Jonathan David needs to be a well thought through and long term investment. Not a last minute Loan with option. If they believe in this kid, then it needs to be a statement of intent. Won’t happen this season given our expenditures. But Next summer (since most of the slots are filled) it could be a strategic signing.