Rocco Commisso, the owner of New York Cosmos and American-Italian business man spoke to Gazzetta dello sport and he remains hopeful of securing a deal to buy Milan, although he admits he is not in control of the situation.
The Rossoneri remain in the midst of an ownership crisis, with current owner Yonghong Li having missed numerous deadlines over repayments but he is clinging onto power.
Also Elliott Management, the firm Li owes, are now seemingly in control of affairs at the San Siro; Commisso faces a tough task if he is to acquire the seven-time European champions.
“I have heard that I could be the only Italian emigrant owner of a Serie A club, and if that ever happens, I want Italian football to succeed, and to not see the Italian national team outside the World Cup.”
“Most of the negotiations are private. I want to close this deal, but we aren’t there yet. We were very close to signing a pre-contract, and I remain confident.”
“I can say that among all the parts that have been mentioned, I am the only Italian emigrant, I have money, I played football and I know the sport well. I was a Juventus fan, but Juventus are very good right now, and they don’t need me.”
“It would be nice, as I did at Columbia University, to make a nice contribution to the movement, and bring my experience as an American businessman, now they know I started from nothing, I studied with profit, and created a big company.”
“Until someone tells me something different, I think Milan is still in Yonghong Li’s hands, and he will probably rely on a court against Elliott.”
“If I’m going to deal with Yonghong Li, I know who I’m dealing with. I do not know Paul Singer personally, but my advisors know him, and he knows who I am. I don’t make any promises.”
Milan? “I will have to put a lot of effort into it. I will not introduce myself to Italy, thinking I already know everything, or more of the others who have been there for a longer time. I will have to study, but I am a person who learns quickly.”
Gattuso? “I really like him, when I played on the lawn for Columbia, I was like him, but certainly not as good, but I was very physical, and we’re both from Calabria.”
