The January transfer window has come to an end and AC Milan made more moves on the outgoing front than the incoming one. Not exactly surprising but perhaps not to the liking of the fans.
The Rossoneri did what was expected on the outgoing front, although one move in particular fell through in the end. Either way, they have removed some outcasts and also got one nice capital gain. All the figures below are via Transfermarkt.
Andrea Conti
Deal: Permanent transfer
Fee: Undisclosed
Destination: Sampdoria
The right-back made his first appearance of the season in the game against Roma earlier this month, playing just 12 minutes. It was enough, however, to secure him a new destination as Sampdoria came forward.
It was first reported that it would be a six-month loan but the official statement from Sampdoria clearly said a permanent move. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, as Conti’s contract with Milan will expire this summer. A weight off the Rossoneri’s wage bill.
The fee of the transfer has not been revealed but it should only be a minimum compensation, which also only will be paid out if Sampdoria avoid relegation.
Pietro Pellegri
Deal: Loan termination
Fee: –
Destination: Monaco (loan to Torino)
The striker joined Milan ahead of the season to be the third option for the attack, with an option to buy included in the initial loan deal. The Rossoneri paid €1m for the loan and tried to redeem him already this month, opening talks with Monaco.
However, the two clubs failed to reach an understanding and Pellegri returned to Monaco to be loaned out to Torino instead. Milan also intended to send him to Torino (pending redemption) but felt the asking price was too high based on his performances.
Milos Kerkez
Deal: Permanent transfer
Fee: €2m
Destination: AZ Alkmaar
The left-back signed for Milan one year ago and initially, it seemed like he could become a part of the first team pretty quickly. However, he remained with the Primavera side and this didn’t exactly make him happy, having almost been promised first-team action.
Milan thus decided to cash in a nice capital gain and sell him to Alkmaar for around €2m, which is ten times what they paid for him one year ago. There was a lot of hype around Kerkez when he joined but it never really panned out as expected.
Alessandro Plizzari
Deal: Six-month loan
Fee: –
Destination: Lecce
This was indeed a very logical move as the youngster hasn’t got any playing time for Milan this season. When Mike Maignan got injured, Ciprian Tatarusanu was ready and Plizzari happened to be injured then.
In that period, the Rossoneri also brought in Antonio Mirante on a free transfer and you can understand why there is no space for Plizzari. Hopefully, he will do well for Lecce in Serie B and come back as a stronger player.
One honourable mentioned is Samu Castillejo, who came close to leaving the Rossoneri this month as the club reached an agreement with Sampdoria over a loan formula. The winger said no, though, as he only wanted Valencia who, in turn, didn’t have an agreement with Milan.
You can read more about Milan’s January mercato as a whole in our upcoming newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. From the official moves to interesting stories, we have you covered.
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Hahaa just stop on kerkez… don’t pretend that making “10 times what we paid!!” Is a great deal when that amounts to 2m… lol. This guy is going to be a gem and because we wasted our time giving ballo toure, who is awful, playing time we have lost a gem for peanuts.. great move Milan. Get ready to watch him go to a top team in a few years …
gazidis method.. it is what it is..
What are they keeping Castillejo for? A second season now,n we can’t still offload a player wt no playing time. It’s bad biz. The rest, I’m not bothered about