AC Milan have had success with the loan market recently as seen through the arrivals of players such as Fikayo Tomori and Alexis Saelemaekers on initial loans, but this time there are more uncertainties.
For example, Pietro Pellegri’s adventure ended early in January after Milan tried to buy him from Monaco early, but offering a lower figure than the option to buy established last summer. The end result was an early loan termination after zero goals.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Alessandro Florenzi’s latest injury has certainly not helped his case to stay permanently and it will force Elliott Management to think carefully about the matter given their policy of only investing in young players.
Many factors play in the Italian’s favour though such as the quick adaptation to the environment, his usefulness in the locker room as an experienced player and his great adaptability on the field, but the second surgery on the same meniscus in the same season is an alert that the owners cannot ignore.
The €4.5m needed to buy him permanently is absolutely affordable but with a budget where every euro is scrutinised and accounted for, there are likely to be some reflections before everything is completed.
Junior Messias is another player with doubts regarding his future. He scored Milan’s first winning goal in the Champions League for over seven years against Atletico Madrid, with a double in the league against Genoa coming days later, but since then a gradual decline.
Milan paid Crotone €2.6m for the loan, while the option to buy is worth €5.4m plus bonuses, so a total investment of €9m. It is clear that the right side of the attack needs a lot of attention but it is equally clear that the Brazilian will return to Crotone unless the amount can be lowered or he completely exploads.
The other two loans are a different matter because they are two-year formulas. Pioli has been waiting for the pre-Covid version of Brahim Diaz, but the weeks continue to pass without any signs of life and this generates reflections among the management.
At the moment all the hypotheses are valid such as an early permanent deal with a discount, the second year of the loan going ahead as planned or even an early farewell already this summer. Milan and Real Madrid agreed to talk about it at the end of the season.
Finally, Tiemoue Bakayoko has completely disappeared from Pioli’s thoughts as he has not played since January 17. An early farewell in the summer with a return to Chelsea seems almost inevitable.
Farewell to the barbershop quartet.
Easy decision,buy out florenzi,the rest not needed at all
Return to sender.
Maldini should be called to answer for the last summer transfer window. Especially when on top of this 4 you add Ballo Toure and Pelegri.
That is just ridiculous. Most were low cost/high reward moves in a summer where he spent his budget making other loan moves permanent (Tomori). Why should he be criticized for calculated risks failing? Sure, one would hope at least one would pan out (maybe Florenzi if he could stay healthy) but taking the chance with these loans was acceptable given the limited budget remaining. Perspective is everything!
Only one that played well enough was florenzi, rest definitely not worth it. And even florenzi we should try to lower the cost a little
Keep florenzi and send the rest travelling. Don not let Madsias