Ruben Amorim has the keys to engineer the AC Milan squad how he sees fit, which was proven by the blockbuster Goncalo Ramos deal.
Given how long it took to put the ‘new’ management in place and with Amorim needing time to assess the squad, few expected the news that would break towards the end of last week. Instead, Milan moved quickly and decisively to secure Ramos, spending upwards of €70m to land him.
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That is a big move for Milan given their propensity to try and negotiate hard under RedBird Capital. In fact, it would be a big move for most clubs in Europe at that price, which has led to debate about whether it it inspired business or if it could be a very costly gamble.
Amorim at the wheel
In his latest column for MilanNews, Pietro Mazzara gave a bit of background on the Ramos signing and how Amorim plans to keep shaping the players at his disposal so they fit his tactical principles.
“AC Milan’s monstrous €75m purchase of Gonçalo Ramos left everyone speechless, both due to the timing and, above all, the sheer amount. Ruben Amorim made his name the top priority, and Gerry Cardinale executed, with a momentum unseen in the previous four years,” he began.
“While we await an official explanation from the club as to why such a drastic change in strategy (at least for now), there’s a backstory circulating in transfer market circles, which I’ll share with you as it unfolds.
“Paris Saint-Germain, it’s no secret, immediately showed openness to the sale of Gonçalo Ramos and Kolo Muani (still in Juventus’ sights). This is where Jorge Mendes comes in, who we know is anything but a benefactor.
“Why do I say this? Because according to transfer market sources, no other teams were interested in Gonçalo Ramos except Milan. It’s impossible to think of snatching the Portuguese striker from Paris at the price touted online based on Transfermarkt data.
“[…] In short, someone (PSG and Mendes) made a bid to raise the deal’s figures (€65m plus €5m in bonuses had initially leaked). Cardinale’s approval came almost immediately, quite surprisingly, sparking various analyses outside his own camp.
“In another context, with Inter Milan being robbed for Palestra, lacking the muscle to break into Nico Paz, and being put on hold by Liverpool for Curtis Jones, the signing of Gonçalo Ramos would have ignited the Milan crowd.
“But that wasn’t the case. Because in the preliminary analysis phase of what could have been Cardinale’s strategy to regain ground after the setbacks suffered from May 25th until the appointment of the new management team, it came true.
“Many expected one or more significant signings (and Ramos is a significant one financially) to try to revive an image – his – that had been severely damaged by protests (which are reorganising, and are far from over) and popular sentiment.
“What good old Gerry hasn’t understood is that the recovery, if it happens, will be very slow and that this Ramos boom is a very risky first all-in.
“Because when you buy a striker and pay 75 million for him, you have to light every candle possible to all the saints you devote to ensure he closes the 2026-27 season with at least 20 goals. Because in these cases, it’s the law of football and the market that dictates the parameters: if he doesn’t score, it’s a flop.
“One thing, however, is certain. Ruben Amorim is building the team from the ground up. He wanted Gonçalo Ramos because he considers him a player who is fully functional for the team, both individually and collectively, and he wants to focus on other players of a certain caliber.
“Antonio Silva will be a hot name for defence this week, and then he’ll move on to midfield, including a new left-back who can alternate with Bartesaghi. One thing is certain: at the end of the transfer window, Allegri’s complaints that the team wasn’t what he wanted won’t be heard.”
I get Gerry trying to salvage public Image and all. But the problem is that if your first bang is worth 70mil or whatever, then you’re setting the bar pretty high that you’ll likely need to maintain. But the article is correct in the sense that it will take more than one flashy purchase to win the fans back over.
Milan hasn’t has a well thought through transfer campaign since Maldini. Since the scudetto season every player had come in based on buy low sell high approach and it’s been a complete disaster. Hopefully Amorim gets the backing to bring in the players for his needs to see if this works.
As for Gerry, he will recoup the Ramos money eventually, either through a resell or through player trading.
Yes, finally I see crazy part of this American. Milan spend a lot in several transfer windows, but most of the time following news said this player not what head coach wanted. So now lets see. If its failed, let it be. No investment that guaranteed 100% success. But at least we listen to different songs now
A new left wing-back is even more needed than a new midfielder, A. Silva, LWB, Martin, AM(R)C and G. Ramos first (all of them, there can’t & shouldn’t be any exceptions and deviations) and only then can we slowly redirect our attention to other (less important) things. There won’t be much use from Ramos alone if we don’t continue in this fashion and manner, we need some more strong statements…
It’s pretty funny seeing these articles stating that if Ramos doesn’t score at least 20 goals it will be a failure. Dembele scored 18 goals last season at PSG and he is worth over 200M! People always find ways to complain – when Cardinale didn’t spend it was a problem and now when he spent big on a striker, it’s still a problem. Some Milan fans should seek mental help.
They will complain if there are no trophies. So that is the answer. Most of the people in these comments are Maldini-sexualities and will always root for him the second a trophy isn’t won. They are weird.
Cardinale is only now able to loosen the purse strings because there is some breathing room with the loan being transferred out from Elliot and now with another creditor who has given Cardinale time till 2030 to pay it all off. It is funny how that is somewhere close to when the new stadium is supposed to be completed as well.
I would expect him to start getting a new owner by then, so he is wise to invest in the performance side of the team.
Yeah – it’s so stupid! I am happy he spent the money – I don’t care if it’s 75M, it’s his money and not mine plus we are getting a pretty good player. “Knowitalls” on social media are complaining but failed to say who Milan should have gotten instead – Haaland for 200M? Dembele for 200M? Some even mentioned Osimhen who has a clause where Italian clubs can’t buy him until 2027 – CAN’T FIX STUPID. lol
And you bring up another good point – Elliot. perhaps didn’t allow Cardinale to spend as he wanted and now he can.
“And you bring up another good point – Elliot. perhaps didn’t allow Cardinale to spend as he wanted and now he can.”
Most likely it’s combination of the fact that the FFP-sh1t finally ended and that the last season ended in a massive disaster.
I don’t know why Milan over paid for Ramos but he is still good signing who i believe will succeed at Milan.
We are clearly building a proper team with players who fit the coaches system and formation. So no more round pegs in square holes.
If Milan fill all the gaps in the squad from defence to midfield and strikers I think we will challenge for the scudetto and possibly have a good chance to win the Europa league.
One thing is for certain is that Rafael Leao no longer has a place in this team. His poor work rate on and off the ball will be a problem and his attitude and willingness to leave is enough for Milan to cash in.
He’s no Ballon D’or level player so we won’t even miss him when he’s gone.
Why you think Milan overpaid? Because so dumb Italian newspaper wrote that? What you think Ramos’ value should be and what you base it on? People on social media complain but can’t provide one valid reason why they think Ramos was overpaid for. And I mean valid reason, not opinions. It is obvious the management of Milan has a lot more insight into any players they buy than anyone else.
Please I want you fans to agree with me 3-4-3 or even 3-4-2-1 is not a formation suitable for Acmilan many coaches tried it and still didn’t work 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 is a good formation but not for acmilan our buil up line up is 4-2-3-1 Acmilan are rigid in 4 man defence so Ruben amorim be Guided.
Goal scorers cost the most, no one near his caliber would come to Milan. I’d expect the next players to be in the 40 to 50 million range.
FFP, remember, you spread the cost over the duration of the contract, not a single season, you can break even or be within 70 million in losses per season for wage and transfer related costs.
So 3 signings of this caliber is a safe bet financially if you qualify 2 years out of three for the CL. Not being able to do so cost us 140 million so you need to spend to make some. Welcome to 2026 folks.
It’s over a three-year monitoring period.