Despite all of the uncertainty surrounding AC Milan’s Champions League fate and the management, they are apparently closing in on a double deal.
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According to Corriere dello Sport, the internal chaos at Milan can be expressed through various parameters. One of these is the transfer market, which has been a bone of contention in recent months between the staff and the upper management.
A concrete example: despite not knowing who will be the coach next season, despite not knowing which competition the team will participate in, despite having sufficient stories that Igli Tare will no longer be the sporting director, two signings have practically already been made.
Furthermore, these aren’t just any two players. Indeed, they would very likely be useful to both Massimiliano Allegri and his potential successor. With or without the Champions League, Milan are already trying to strengthen its position.
Goretzka and Mateta close
The first name is one that the Rossoneri have been targeting for months: Leon Goretzka. The German, as is well known, will not renew his contract with Bayern Munich which expires in just over a month. So, he is already free to reach an agreement with another club without consulting the Bavarians.
His entourage have had contacts and meetings with various clubs across Europe and the world from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia and even the MLS. Yet, it’s from Italy that the most interesting offers have come: Inter, Juventus and Napoli came forward, but Milan will most likely win.
The Rossoneri have offered Goretzka what he wanted: a three-year contract worth €5m net per season, plus bonuses tied to personal and team success. The German is intrigued by the idea of joining Milan, even if missing out on the Champions League makes it a little less appealing.
However, the basic agreement is already in place. Barring any unforeseen circumstances or complications – which are always possible until the deal is officially announced – Goretzka will be a new Milan player.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was practically already a Milan player, but further medical checks conducted in January advised the Rossoneri not to continue. Now, everything seems to be back on track, especially regarding the player’s knee health.
The CEO Giorgio Furlani – who was the leader and main architect of the deal without Tare’s support – has decided to return to the fray. Mateta is back on the pitch and back to scoring goals, so Milan want to focus on him again.
The aim for Furlani, whose own position seems uncertain, is to take advantage of the fact his contract is expiring in 2027 to reduce the transfer fee. As with Goretzka, negotiations for the Frenchman are also at a ‘very advanced stage’.