Following the conclusion of the January mercato, Gianluca Di Marzio has shed some light on the work done by AC Milan over the past month and the opportunities that the club explored.
Ahead of January, the information relayed was that the mercato would have to be a ‘month of opportunities‘ rather than the club spending sillily, given the restraints caused by Milan’s elimination from the Champions League.
Of course, there were attempts made for different opportunities. But, there was very little activity in the window in general, not just for the Rossoneri, so it is understandable why there was not a lot of movement, in or out of the club.
As was revealed yesterday, the club have already begun making plans ahead of the summer mercato to evaluate and capitalise on any opportunities they discover, ahead of the market re-opening.
Gianluca Di Marzio spoke to Sky Sports Italy about the mercato, and his comments have been relayed by RadioRossonera.
Defensive opportunities…
“After finding Torino’s unwillingness to open negotiations for [Alessandro] Buongiorno, they [Milan] went back to looking at the Premier League. [Clement] Lenglet has always been one of the first choices, he had also spoken to Pioli and Moncada and had even given his openness to landing at the Rossoneri.”
Which other opportunities were evaluated?
“Apart from the attempt for [Fernando] Redondo’s son [Federico Redondo], Milan never looked for other reinforcements in that department. So many paths, but none were viable.
“For [Maxence] Lacroix, for example, the German club has opposed any negotiations, especially on loan. In the case of [Merih] Demiral, however, as we have already expressed in recent days, the main problem was also related to image rights.
“In midfield, the decision not to buy a replacement for [Rade] Krunic was probably also influenced by the elimination of [Ismael] Bennacer from the African Cup of Nations, and his consequent early return to Milanello.”
Aside from Buongiorno, basically there wasn’t sh*t available on the market…
“In midfield, the decision not to buy a replacement for [Rade] Krunic was probably also influenced by the elimination of [Ismael] Bennacer from the African Cup of Nations, and his consequent early return to Milanello.”
AFCON is over in a week so what has that got to do with it?
From what I have read sounds like we offered 5m for Redondo, amazingly that did not convince them to sell
Doesn’t matter. We’re in 3rd with no real hope of reaching first, and fairly far above 5th. Pioli and the player’s task is now to maintain this position and go as far in the EL as possible, and with what we currently have I think it’s doable. We’ll have Thiaw back hopefully by the next EL match and with the rest coming back soon after we’ll be OK. I think it’s sensible to keep the powder dry until summer when it will be known who the coach is for next season, whether it’s Pioli or someone else.
Furlani begged Cairo to give green light so Milan can sign buongiorno
HE REJECTS
Furlani ignores it keep on begging
Cairo ignores him
Milan gets Terracciano
Furlani begged again
Cairo ignores again
Furlani brings back Gabbia
Furlani doesn’t want to spend 15m for brassier
Pioli asks one more CB
Try again for buongiorno
No progress
Furlani loan Romero
Furlani stupidly loan chaka
Furlani begged again for buongiorno
Loan Pellegrino
Furlani begged one more time for buongiorno
No progress
Transfer window closed
Milan linked with Verona prospect with the type of player that is similar almost identical to chaka traore
And that’s all
I don’t see a problem here regarding Buongiorno. This is clearly a player they rate, and one who they might go for again in the summer (apparently Conte rates him too). Clearly they feel they don’t need another CB, or else it would have happened. So why not keep trying for Buongiorno, who is a long term target? Maybe Cairo says yes now. It was an “opportunity attempt”. Maybe Cairo would have been more willing to sell him after the injury and the arrival of Lovato. This isn’t “begging”, but negotiation. He’s the one they want. You can get him now or in the summer. If not him, then no one. That’s how it went. We have Kjaer, Gabbia and Simic active. Theo as an emergency. Thiaw is back at the end of the month and Tomori and Kalulu soon after him. There isn’t much to see here.
Not that Pioli asked for another CB other than gabbia and they begged so many times for one player the other team clearly says no and eventually don’t get what coach wanted. You have a blind mind . Theo isn’t a CB kjaer can’t be trusted anymore kalulu is short and anyway Pioli don’t puts him anymore. Simic wouldn’t get the chance anyway with that coach we have and I’m sure gabbia will eventually disappoint us anyway
+ Milan sold Krunic
No replacement
Milan sold messias