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.
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