Gianluigi Longari has explained why AC Milan are the only top Italian club who are able to invest in the mercato, while he gave an update on various targets in view of January.
There is less and less time left until the start of the winter transfer window and Milan already have clear ideas on how they will move to strengthen Stefano Pioli’s squad. It seems that a centre-back and a centre-forward are a necessity, for example.
While other clubs might first have to sell in order to do business given the relative state of their finances compared to Milan’s, the Rossoneri are able to invest budget left over to fill gaps in the team.
Longari has explained why in an editorial for Sportitalia titled ‘It’s time to invest, Milan can and will’, while he also touched upon some of the targets for the future.
“It’s time for investments, or at least their planning. The top teams, but not only those, in our Serie A clearly cannot escape the progress of the season,” he began.
“Objectives set not only in terms of the market, but in the case of the two Milanese teams also for possible Arab investors who can contribute to the grandeur projects that the two companies would legitimately like to prepare for the near and future future.
“In the case of Milan, it must be appropriately underlined that the resources are not lacking even now. Also and above all for this reason the Rossoneri are destined to play the part of the protagonists again in the upcoming winter session.
“The aim to be pursued is to broaden the depth of the squad while keeping an eye on the most attractive opportunities at Guirassy and at the same time guarantee useful profiles to build the backbone of the team of the future.
“Going into concrete matters, on the one hand the path linked to [Juan] Miranda is confirmed which the Rossoneri have already had secured for several weeks, and on the other the idea of rounding up some of the brightest talents on the continent, anticipating the possible intervention of clubs Premier League with which it would otherwise be impossible to compete.
“This explains the already concluded [Matija] Popovic deal, who will sign with the Rossoneri after his contract with Partizan expires in December and then establish a professional growth trajectory controlled by the Rossoneri.
“A similar argument can be made for Ouèdraogo, for whom Milan has the big advantage of being able to plan an investment already in January with a view to the summer unlike the other Italian clubs (Inter and Juventus) who appreciate the player but do not have funds available to invest in a 2006-born player in the middle of the season.
“A central defender will also arrive, and the situation on the midline must also be monitored. Especially if Fenerbahce were to also materialize with Milan the courtship already highlighted to Krunic in the last moments of the recent summer transfer session.”
Management will sell one key player, Leao or Théo, fans will erupt “he’s not a real Milanista, he took the money”, management will “invest” buying a few bargain players and teenagers, celebrating them like they signed Mbappé, claiming that Barcelona was fighting for them, etc.
I don’t know if I have laugh or cry… But everything you said is reality
I’m not a fan of his but I remember when Balotelli signed in January and turned our season around – and if I remember right we were in a far worse position than we are now: 3rd despite having half the squad missing. A few smart moves on the winter mercato, less injuries and we’re golden.
Milan are on the right track and I trust this management.
They will not drag out Mike Maignan contract renewal talk and let him walk for free like the previous management did with Dollarumma.
Instead, they will be smart and sell the 28yr old injury prone Mike Maignan for a minimum fee of 70m and reinvest that money in the squad.
There are tons of young quality suitable goalkeepers for cheap like Bulka from Nice and Di Grigorio from Monza who can replace Mike.
We don’t need an elite goalkeeper to win titles. We need an elite solid defense and midfield along with a good keeper not necessarily elite goalkeeper.
Interesting, can you explain why you trust the management? No attack here, I just want to understand as for myself I see absolutely no evidence that the management is qualified to build a competitive football team, and the club is in a constant crisis since the season began.
The team is more competitive and deeper than last season – what are you not seeing here? The summer additions provide more quality (when injuries aren’t piling up – but that’s been a Milan problem long before the summer). Example: Take Puli alone – which one of our Right Wingers had 5 goals last season?
What are you not understanding here?
Puli is the only upgrade and only because he’s having his best season too. All the rest were replacements.
Last year the midfield was Bennacer, Tonali and Diaz with Krunic as sub. This year so far…Reinjders, Krunic and RLC with Musah as sub. I’m not sure that’s a clear upgrade especially with not knowing if RLC can stay fit.
In attack, sure is better. Leao, Giroud and Pulisic with chuk/Romero as subs over Leao, Giroud and Messias/Saelemakers but only because of Pulisic so far with Chuk and Romero hoping to come on board soon.
Respectfully – Not sure we are “more competitive” at all this season as the facts do not support that argument. Yea we seem deeper on paper but that hasn’t necessarily translated to success on the pitch thus far. Yes we have had injuries, but that is part of the game and if we are in fact “deeper” we should be able to over come that with our “depth”. Heck we still can’t win without Leao amd that wa supposed to be a problem solved with the addition of Chukuweze. But still the same problem – Pulisic and Chukuweze combined cannot replace Leao. Crazy.
Also, I think you are equating our upgrade at RW with Pulisic to an upgrade to other areas of the pitch. Pulisic is definitely an upgrade at RW and has been one of our best if not the best signing of the summer. Reijnders is next then RLC (but he is up and down). The rest have not really helped much or made a sizable impact. Pobega, Musah, Romero, Jovic, Okafor, Pelligrino, Chukuweze all below average at best – some flops,- Romero, Chukuweze. Sportiello was solid and will be when he returns but he’s out for a while. So ya we improved with Pulisic – and finally added a capable backup GK in Sportiello – but are RLC and Reindjers an upgrade over Tonali? Maybe or seems more of a wash. So ya we are deepe on paper but that hasn’t translated to results just yet
So far, the management has done well, despite the disappointment from some players, and the injury crisis. They are already making moves to reinforce the team now,and have great plans for the future. They might not have the Arab money, but, are already looking out for other investors in the Milan project. Guirassy would be a good addition to the team, but, that would mean offloading someone.