The idea of AC Milan sending Alessio Romagnoli to Barcelona in a swap deal for Philippe Coutinho is not all that far-fetched, according to one journalist.
Alberto Cerruti’s latest editorial for MilanNews remarks how buying is difficult in the current market for a club like Milan but selling players appears to be even more so, and only from sales can the money for new reinforcements arrive.
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He adds that the spotlight is on Alessio Romagnoli for two reasons: firstly because the defender risks leaving in a year on a free transfer like Calhanoglu and Donnarumma did, and secondly because Barcelona seem interested and if they make a good offer then everyone will be happy.
Romagnoli for his part would accept a move to Barcelona because he would have the chance of returning to being a starter at a big club, which boosts his national team ambitions. Interestingly, Cerruti adds that at that point it would become easier to see Coutinho in a Milan shirt.
In a Romagnoli-Coutinho swap deal, head coach Stefano Pioli would gain a sure starter in exchange for a player who is not in his first choice XI, while for Barca they would gain a starter in exchange for someone on the fringes of their project.
At 29 years old Coutinho is in his prime and would represent a reinforcement of top quality for the Rossoneri, so perhaps the exchange isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
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That is good idea