AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has been left with regret regarding a midfield target that ended up joining rivals Napoli, a report claims.
According to L’Equipe in France (via MilanLive), Milan were strongly interested in signing André Zambo Anguissa who is having a truly sensational start to the season with Napoli, as he has been a big part of the team that has won all three Champions League group stage games so far and is top of Serie A.
The source reports that Paolo Maldini became interested in the midfielder when he was still owned by Fulham, therefore in the summer of 2021. There were enquiries and then follow-up meetings with his entourage, but Milan made no official bid.
Then, Napoli pounced with a loan offer of €0.6m and the option to buy set at €16m. The Rossoneri then went back to Tiemoue Bakayoko and they re-signed him on loan from Chelsea, which unfortunately did not give the same success as Anguissa is giving Napoli.
Would have been a perfect back up and then a replacement for Kessie.
Especially when you look at the conditions and price tag that he was signed compared to Bakayoko. Anguissa actually cheaper.
Not just this season, last season he was sensational too, for a debutant player in serie a. And yes, he’d be the perfect replacement for Franck. Baka should be too on paper, but sadly not on field.
maldini masterclass
Mistakes does happens after all, Maldini also success with Theo,Kalulu,Tomori,Mike etc so you cant expect him to do a miracle everytime tho i envied how Napoli got Kva whatever his name is lol for a mere 10M.
Kvaracxelia was waiting for Juve before joining Napoli. But ….
Maldini what about Kvaracxelia for 9ml? Well done .
Maldini is trying to sign him when he is in Rubin Kazan but they want 20M for him back then, and later they sold him for 8M to Dinamo
There is no decision worse than turning around for Bakayoko… With that being said, Milan should never feel sorry for not getting this and that player. Those players are doing well in their current context (club, teammates, coach, formation, league etc.) and there is no guarantee they would do well here at Milan. The same logic can be said to players who suck at Milan then move to another club and do well. The contexts are different and players’ performances depend A LOT on that. There is no point looking at the missed opportunities, let us live in the reality, here and now.
Well said!
Though we should admit to re-loan Bakayoko is a huge mistake, given his (non)performance at Napoli. Loaning Desto can be another mistake.
Still remeber a lot Milan fans then demanding him back, though I failed to see any merit of him, even under Gattuso at Milan. He is a very limited player with high salary.