AC Milan have been the most active of the big Serie A clubs when it comes to the summer window, and Sandro Tonali’s sale has financed the six signings so far.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) have dedicated a double page spread to Milan’s busy start to the summer, titled: ‘€107m revolution. Tonali funds the signings. Chukwueze most expensive and it’s not over yet.’
The first training session in Los Angeles was a bridge between the past and the future as Stefano Pioli met up with Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan, Olivier Giroud and all the internationals once again, reunited after their extended break.
Tonight he will see Noah Okafor, who will arrive in the United States with his No.17 shirt, inherited from his almost-friend Rafaed Leao. Very soon, he will shake hands with Samuel Chukwueze too, who Milan plan to sign early next week and fly out.
Milan have spent almost €100m in this summer window already, over €100m when factoring in the bonuses. The sale of Tonali has financed a varied market, with five paid-for signings – counting Chukwueze – plus Luka Romero and Marco Sportiello on a free.
Milan have spent a lot and can soon breathe. The management will close the Chukwueze deal with Villarreal and then it will be about fine-tuning and seizing any opportunities that might pop up.
A deputy left-back is needed but Riccardo Calafiori of Basel still doesn’t convince everyone, while Yunus Musah could arrive to complete the midfield and even a young striker too. To invest again, it will be necessary to sell.
CEO Giorgio Furlani and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada – who directs the market with sporting director Antonio D’Ottavio as his right hand man – are taking an obvious path with their signings so far.
Loftus-Cheek is 27 years old, Chukwueze, Pulisic and Reijnders 24, Okafor 23. Young but not inexperienced players, who can be sold in two, three, five years, with ample room for growth.
It’s a risk but it’s a calculated, deliberate risk for a club that by corporate choice will not blow up its budget and will always have sustainability as its guiding spirit.
As of the spring, a €40m net spend market was expected, in line with the plans of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and this will probably be the case. Then, the €70m obtained from the sale of Tonali will be added those from the other exits, with the first news expected shortly.
Matteo Gabbia will play tonight against Real Madrid and then go on loan to Villarreal (nice challenge). With purchases around €100m, the math says that the Rossoneri are close to their limit. However, their work might not be done.
