AC Milan have become used to last-minute deals since the days that Adriano Galliani was in charge, and there could yet be some more late moves in the current window.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara may not be aggressively pursuing multiple fronts for potential signings but that does not mean that they no longer answer the phone to hear of opportunities that may present themselves.
Malick Thiaw – the 20-year-old defender for Schalke – and Dejan Kulusevski of Juventus are two players that talks have been held over. However, the directors can work in peace and without pressure because nobody at the club has given orders to bring a new face to Milanello.
This is seen in the negotiating stances, because Schalke value Thiaw at €10m while Milan value him at €6m and do not seem intent to raise their bid towards the amount the 2. Bundesliga side want.
The situation is different on Kulusevski, because there are two stumbling blocks. The first is the amount that Juve value him at and therefore would demand be inserted into an option or obligation to make the deal permanent, which is €40m, while the second is Juve’s lack of propensity to reinforce a direct rival. However, on both fronts things could change.
READ MORE: All bark no bite and double teaming – Tactical analysis of Milan’s draw against Juventus
Neither of these will happen because neither of them are worth what their respective clubs are asking.
And I seriously doubt either club will half their asking price in the last few days of Mercato.