Journalist Andrea Masala has questioned Paolo Maldini’s comments about Paulo Dybala not being a good fit for AC Milan’s project when looking at the other business done in the summer.
Milan were heavily linked with a move for Dybala during the last summer transfer window when it became clear that he would be leaving Juventus on a free transfer when his contract expired.
Instead, the Rossoneri decided to go all-in on Charles De Ketelaere, investing over €30m to sign him from Club Brugge after a long negotiation. He has not exactly hit the ground running and is yet to score, but Maldini defended the decision after the second leg against Inter in which the Belgian did not play.
Masala spoke during a piece for La Gazzetta dello Sport and he addressed what Maldini said regarding the decision to sign Charles De Ketelaere over a more ready-made profile like Dybala, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“The objection holds up if we refer only to De Ketelaere. But as soon as we consider the signing of Origi, the prejudicials on Dybala being unsuitable for Milan become crumbly, they no longer hold up,” he said.
“The Argentine, released by Juve, turned 29 last November and moved to Roma with a salary of 4.5 million plus bonuses. The Belgian striker, who turned 28 last April, earns 4 million net: his impact on Milan’s economic accounts is therefore slightly less than the Dybala package for Roma.
“It is logical to distinguish between long-term investments and ‘turnkey’ business: De Ketelaere is not comparable to Dybala, Origi, given the figures and profiles, but yes.”
