Sky journalist Luca Marchetti has defended the way AC Milan have conducted their pursuit of Youssouf Fofana, suggesting that their movements to this point are entirely logical.
The Fofana saga continues to drag on with no resolution in close proximity. Having been identified weeks if not months ago as Milan’s first choice midfield target, the management struck an agreement with the player but have so far not been able to strike one with Monaco.
Not only that, but recent reports have suggested that Manchester United now want to sign the Frenchman and repeat the Joshua Zirkzee coup, by capitalising on Milan’s failure to close the operation and using their vast financial resources to swoop in and get him.
Marchetti spoke during a segment on Sky’s show The Club and he was asked to give an update on Milan, as part of which he went into more detail on the Fofana issue and the frustrations surrounding it.
“The midfielder issue, which is one of the big objectives of the Milan mercato, must be resolved and now we have truly arrived at the last three weeks of the window,” he began (via Radio Rossonera).
“Milan had three needs: a right-back, a midfielder and a striker. The striker is there, the right-back almost [Emerson Royal] but the midfielder is missing. In my opinion, on a strategic level, Milan do not seem to have made a mistake if I have to tell the truth.
“He is a player whose contract is expiring [in 2025], he was with France at the European Championship, they came to an agreement with the player and he said yes to Milan, and they went to negotiate with Monaco.
“Monaco, probably annoyed by the fact that the newspapers had been saying for a long time that Milan were after Fofana and they had never heard from Milan, asked for 35 million euros.
“Now, honestly, paying that much for a player whose contract is expiring is madness, however strong he may be. Maybe Milan’s first offer wasn’t exactly close to that figure, but they would have liked to pay around 20 million for him.”
Monaco values him at 35M and we offered 12M. How is that logical?
I said this before, if they started with a 20M offer this thing would’ve been done weeks ago.
Are you the one to provide the funds, if yes why not offer 40m instead? At times some fans think this money is as easy as they taught, If u a better negotiator why not apply for the job maybe the Milan management or owners will employ you.
A player that will be free agent in 10-11 months time you expect Milan to just rush an offer 20m.
If we miss fofana the management will get another player to play in that position.
so you think if Fofana gets a free agent there are no other clubs who could pay more handfee.. if the agent ask for 15Mio handfee Im curious if Milan will pay this.. For me Fofana could be the 6 that we need. someone who has the Level but your right there are plenty of 6 around
Crikey, you would hope they have spoken to his agent, seems obvious thing to do.
Then again it seems they forgot to do that with Zirkzee until last minute, yikes
You understand that’s not how it went down, right? It didn’t collapse because of the agent fee. Or are you still stuck on that myth?
Idk what you on about. Milan had enough money to spend 20M on fofana and 13M on Morata.
Supposedly a DM and ST were our main targets
Who says he will be a free agent in a few months?
You know any other team can buy him
“I arrived late, at the end of July, it was a bit difficult to convince him (Pioli) ”
Chucky interview published today
This is why you don’t leave your most important signing until last minute.
If they can’t afford Fofana, fine, move on, they should have somebody signed by now for whatever mediocre sum they deem appropriate to spend on a vital position for a champions league team
I think Monaco is just being petty and trying to teach us a lesson as you said. Fofana will come at the end of the day, but we really screwed ourselves
Could be. This whole situation is ridiculous and could’ve been avoided. It benefits nobody
I don’t think so. They would have waited for other offers anyway.
💯💯💯
I have been saying the exact same thing.
100 percent Moncada Furlani have once again made big mistakes when buying top grade players.
I believe that Marchetti should stop taking that medication.
He said that Milan spoke to the player before they spoke to Monaco about Fofana?
That’s real profession management skills and negotiationnal skills right there. Furlani and Moncada should be held accountable and shown the door.
All other Italian clubs do not manage like this and get their targets without drama and failures
Not getting Fofana and Zirkee will be a great failure Mr Marchetti no matter how you paint it and Moncada and Furlani should be shown to door Now!
Samardzic will be another target that Furlani and Co will fuckup! Don’t worry Curva Sud we have Fonseca to save our season ask Moncada and Furlani.
They were mocking them with an opening offer of 12 millions, how’s it not their fault? Had him as a primary target for months, agreed salary for weeks and now when we are less than 10 days from season’s start he’s as far from coming as ever.
Panic buy on the last day of mercato incoming.
Tiringless also the Case with Emerson Royal. In some points to wait too long is a success but for me if they fail with Fofana its a big mistake like Zirkzee!
Kone is often injured and he is more an 8 than a 6 and often a moody Player but it could also change when he moves to Milan because in Gladbach he feels a bit like a star
They say the max is 30m but this management try low balling them and offer not even the half of what they asking where is the logic in there some people here talking about money. We are the team who spends the least from top 6 and with the least amount of salaries. At last we could throw 40m for zirkzee but the agent was Raiola reincarnated so if we could pay 40m right away I’m way too sure we could have started at least 17m and ended to 23-24m and everyone would be happy
“Now, honestly, paying that much for a player whose contract is expiring is madness, however strong he may be.” This is so interesting and a bit hilarious. This year 35m for a player in an expiring contract is madness. Last year 28m for the same type of deal wasn’t. Hmmmm 🤔
Lol 😂😂😂
I’ve read so many comments about Milan not signing Fofana yet, most people making harsh comments on the Milan board I persive don’t know anything about the market. You don’t just splash money just because you have it. Pls ask yourselves what his worth is. Champions league winning experience? League title winning experience? World cup? Euros? Europa leagues? Conference cup? Ligue 1 MVP? If no, then what exactly is he bringing to Milan. Guys its more like Milan trying to promote his career and Monaco trying to stagnate him. He has less than 10 months on his contract and without any experience account and you expect Milan to 0at €35M, you must be joking
What his worth is? First and foremost he’s the type of players we’re missing since Kessie left and our midfield has been struggling badly ever since.
Now tell me what was Chukwueze worth when they made him the most expensive transfer of last summer although he had one year left on his contract? We were in a dire need of a proper RW.
Nobody expected Milan to pay 35m, the problems began when they p1ssed off Monaco with a 12m bid.
Every other day now, there are quotes from other clubs staff complaining about Milan’s behavior in negotiations.
What gives Milan it’s value?
History?
Trophies?
Prestige?
It is vital to protect the image of the club
LOLOLOLOLO – are you for real????
I think you just contradicted yourself friend – and the worst part is you don’t even know it. Yikes!!!
“ League title winning experience? World cup? Euros? Europa leagues? Conference cup? Ligue 1 MVP? If no, then what exactly is he bringing to Milan.”
Umm….YES – he has WC, Euro and Europa League experience. Ligue 1 MVP???? Pls tell me which target we are going after has this? Are we going after M’Bappe all of a sudden??????? Insane comment bro
Go back to bed
Then move on to another target, simple as that.
If you think he’s not worth 35M€, then don’t waste time lowballing because you think you have leverage. You don’t.
Season starts in like 2 weeks and we still don’t have a DM.
We missed better DMs who are cheaper because we thaught we are so smart.
Paying 35m for a guy who can sign a pre contract in 6 months with no transfer fee involved for the club is exactly the kind of stuff Manchester United and Chelsea do. Those clubs are run like clown shows, City signed Haaland, who’s worth 150m for 50m for that exact reason, so paying 35m for Fofana is crazy, then there’s still the risk that he turns out like the other Monaco CDM who they asked crazy money for in Bakayoko who’s now playing in Ligue 2. If you’re going to risk 35m do it wisely, not for a player on an expiring contract, the only player you can pay that for on an expiring contract needs to be at least worth double that. We’ve risked to much already on the like of CDK and Paqueta who both set us back nearly 40m each. Sounds more like Monaco are struggling with funding as their league is as well. Let the clown show throw the money at him.
Your comment are even more insane bro @Juro, guy he doesn’t even have 45 mins play in his world cup, euros, Europa league semi finals appearances combined together. Oh you can as well add nations league to the list.
I don’t care if it’s Fofana or someone else, but they need to pivot quickly and bring someone in fast. Last season Chuk came late and took a LONG while to adjust. The season before that it was CDK who came late and NEVER adjusted.
Can’t make that mistake again. just need to move fast here and bring whoever the plan B DM is. Then put an agreement in place with Fofana to pick him up for free in the winter/summer whatever.
👍🏻 🤛🏻
That’s it my brother
Remember Galliani send good luck in case Zirkzee. Old guy know how market work, from agent to opponent. Seem Fofana just a step for lower profile.
If he wants to go to Man utd let him go, he wouldn’t have UCL games there, he may end up like Amrabat. We can’t pay 35m for a player with just a year contract and CDK we sold for 22m.