The Italian transfer window has come to an end, for this time. AC Milan, in addition to completing five signings, also managed to offload as many as eight players this summer.
The Rossoneri made some good deals on this front and the fans should be happy with the outgoing market. In fact, they were able to fund large parts of the mercato with these sales. All the figures below are via Transfermarkt.
Suso
Deal: Initially an 18-month loan
Cost: €24m total, obligation to buy
Destination: Sevilla
The winger technically left Milan already in January, joining Sevilla on an 18-month loan, but he was redeemed by the Spanish side this summer. As they qualified for the Champions League, the option to buy turned into an obligation.
Milan will bank a total of €24m from the deal, which is a good amount considering his performances before he left the club. As he joined from Liverpool for almost nothing, it also looks very good on the balance sheet.
Ricardo Rodriguez
Deal: Permanent transfer
Cost: €3m
Destination: Torino
After a failed loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, the Swiss international returned to the Rossoneri this summer and always seemed destined to leave. As Marco Giampaolo took over Torino, they approached Milan.
A deal was struck at €3m, resulting in a minor capital loss for the Rossoneri, but they also got Rodriguez off their hands. He was never that terrible for Milan but he also didn’t impress enough.
Alessandro Plizzari
Deal: Dry loan
Cost: –
Destination: Reggina
At the start of the summer, some rumours suggested that Plizzari could be the second-choice goalkeeper for Milan this season. However, the Rossoneri ultimately decided to loan him out to guarantee more playing time.
He has played the first two games of this season, with the Serie B side winning one and drawing the other. Hopefully, he will return to Milan even stronger for next season, though it’s hard to compete against Gigio Donnarumma.
Pepe Reina
Deal: Free transfer
Cost: –
Destination: Lazio
Another goalkeeper that left Milan this summer. The latter were just happy to get him off the wage bill, saving around €6m gross. Despite heavy interest from Valencia, Lazio pounced and managed to secure his services.
The Rossoneri signed Ciprian Tatarusanu as the new deputy for Donnarumma, paying just €500K to Lyon. Above all, though, his salary is much better for the club as he will earn around €1m per year.
Andre Silva
Deal: Permanent transfer
Cost: €9m
Destination: Eintracht Frankfurt
The Portuguese striker joined Frankfurt on a two-year loan last summer, with Ante Rebic going in the opposite direction on the same formula. As both did well, the clubs decided to sit down and negotiate permanent deals.
The German side agreed to pay €9m for Silva, while the fee for Rebic remains unknown, perhaps also because Fiorentina are entitled to 50% of what Milan paid. A capital loss on Silva, therefore, but the swap deal may have been beneficial anyway.
Tommaso Pobega
Deal: Loan with an option to buy (and buy-back)
Cost: Unknown
Destination: Spezia
The midfielder had a successful spell at Pordenone last season and Milan decided that he also needed consistent playing time in Serie A. A loan to newly-promoted side Spezia was the solution, therefore, also including a buy-out option.
Milan do have a buy-back clause, though, should they feel that Pobega could be part of the squad next season. The 21-year-old is certainly promising and hopefully, he will shine for his new side.
Lucas Paqueta
Deal: Permanent transfer
Cost: €20m
Destination: Lyon
In terms of the departures, this is perhaps the best deal that Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara made this summer. Paqueta has been very disappointing, really, besides his first six months at the club.
Given the big amount invested (around €38m), it was clear that the Rossoneri needed to make a decision and this way, they will at least break even. They are also entitled to 15% of a future resale, which is a good but of business.
Diego Laxalt
Deal: Dry loan
Cost: –
Destination: Celtic
On deadline day, the Scottish side secured the Uruguayan international on loan. Milan brought in Diogo Dalot recently and with Theo Hernandez fit, it was clear that Laxalt wouldn’t get much playing time this season.
Celtic, who Milan will face in the Europa League group stage, are expected to pay the entire salary and this is another plus for the Rossoneri. Hopefully, he won’t perform well against us in EL.
READ MORE – AC Milan’s 2020 summer mercato: All the official signings and details
