tomori okafor ac milan

SM: Milan’s altered stance on Tomori and why the Okafor deal really collapsed

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The January transfer window is not just about signings for AC Milan but also potential exits, to generate funds and free up spots in the squad.

In this regard, the two names that have been most frequently and concretely linked with possibly leaving Milan are Noah Okafor and Fikayo Tomori. The situations are vastly different, given the former is a reserve forward and the latter is a starting centre-back again.

The stance on Tomori

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are back in for Tomori after Barcelona backtracked on the sale of Ronald Araujo following Inigo Martinez’s injury. The Bianconeri are even apparently offering a loan with obligation to buy and a total deal worth a potential €30m.

However, the arrival of Conceicao seems to have restored Tomori’s place in the hierarchy, given he is now back in a starting role. It is unlikely that the Rossoneri would decide to offload such an important player in a delicate phase of the season, also strengthening a direct rival like they did with Pierre Kalulu.

Therefore, it can almost be categorically ruled out that the Englishman leaves the club before the end of the January window. In the summer six more months will have passed so the scenario could have changed, but for now Juve will have to again look elsewhere to find a central defender.

The truth on Okafor

Okafor landed back in Italy seeming rather disappointed and a bit puzzled that his move to RB Leipzig had collapsed. Conflicting reports then came out regarding the physical condition of the striker versus whether there was an economic motivation behind the plug being pulled.

As our colleagues at SempreMilan.it confirm, Okafor’s physical condition has been used as a shield. While not optimal, Leipzig used it to try change the formula of the loan to a free one and therefore not the €2-3m initially agreed.

It was a decision taken at the last moment that Milan did not accept, thus recalling the player back to Milano. The absence of an initial fee would have effectively made Okafor’s exit only temporary because the Bundesliga side would no longer have had any incentive to consider a buy-out for above €20m.

This attempt to move the goalposts at the last minute did not go down well with Milan who are now no longer on good terms with the German side. The Milan management are moving together with Okafor’s agents in search of a new destination, and on a permanent basis.

Tags AC Milan Fikayo Tomori Noah Okafor

13 Comments

  1. Conceicao favours physicality, which is why Gabbia has dropped back to the bench, which I can’t justify. You need a brain at the back.

    1. And speed. The only quality that Tomori has over Gabbia. Tomori is a headless chicken, but he can recover in a situation where we’re on a high press and lose the ball causing a fast break (which happens often). We’re basically back to Pioli’s suicide press, but in a 4-4-2, with a lot more grinta and motivational shouting from the sideline. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      1. Pioli’s suicide press won us a Scudetto, got us into a Champions League semi final and had us in the top 4 every season he was part of. He also had the team galvanised and playing with heart.

        I would be extremely happy should Conceição get us playing like that again while bringing those results.

    2. Guys we’re winning with Tomori in the starting lineup. It’s normal to concede some goals along. What matters is winning. Yes I don’t see no guarantees that we would of won the Supercoppa with a different defensive partnership. If we’re so concerned about conceding 5 in 4, well Inter, Juve and Atalanta have conceded the same or more in their last few outings? Tomori is fine until we can see blunders from him actually costing us points.

      1. Tomori actually plays his best next to Gabbia who is a lot like Kjaer. I believe that this partnership will see some time together. Thiaw is playing really well so we will see.

        1. Thiaw has been responsible for a hatful of mistakes recently.

          Not happy that he’s injured, but partnering up Gabbia with Tomori might be the play, just like it was when these two beat Inter in the league this season.

  2. I get keeping him around and not selling to abdirect rival, I have no issue with refusing to give Juve another player. But he has absolutely no right to be starting with his performances. Tomori has put in no better than a 6 this season and mostly even lower. Gabbia has been easily our best defender and NEEDS to start if we wanna stop conceding.

  3. Milan will not going to overpay any incoming transfers this winter.
    I think it’s smart move not to give Okafor without loan fee. He can be still useful in terms of resting Pulisic, Leao and even case of Chukwueze injuries.
    Pulisic can be used on both flanks, Leao is primarily target on left, and luckily now Jimenez can be used too. Musah is very good as right midfielder so Milan should be fine.
    If no one arrive in winter Okafor should be used in some cases from the bench as well. Keeping him this season means, he could be sold easily in summer or loaned as well.
    Most important thing is Milan must start keeping scoring mora goals and win most of the games untill end.

  4. My prediction: No mercato movements this Jan transfer window. I think Concecao will stop management from selling Tomori, no one will buy Okafor. No money to be spent. Management will say Bennacer was the Jan addition and will probably ask some youth players to be promoted into Senior team. Fofana and Reidjers will get injured in the next month sigtnificantly hurting our depth and midfield prowess. Morata and Abraham only score a total of 10 more goals between them for the rest of the season. We make it to round of 16 in UCL, then get kicked out. Get kicked out of Copa Italia in Semis, end the season in 7th place.

    management’s shortsightedness, thinking they are saving and cutting costs from not buying in January, ends up costing them multi millions from failing to reach UCL and Europa. End up having to sell our star players in the Summer to cover losses and try to bring fiscal balance. Gerry decides to fire Moncada and Furlani, but decides to Keep Ibra. COncencao is fed up with this project and leaves, and management bring in Sarri or Allegri.

    Well now that I put this out in the world I am hoping to Jinx this and have this NOT happen! But lets be honest, this is a very probable future.

  5. The numbers behind the Tomori sale make sense to offload, BUT:
    1. Thiaw is out for what, 3 weeks? That leaves us with Gabbia and Pavlovic?
    2. Can NOT sell Juve with whom we’re fighting for CL. So they will take our Scudetto winning CB pair?

  6. The team is missing attacking options for the big game in the weekend. Okafor has to be settled in and reassured of counting on. He’s to be quickly made ready.

  7. Those two headless chickens we call strikers are rubbish.
    Okafor is easily better than them in ST. He more intelligent, resilient , fast, and an opportunist.
    Which kind of management would sell Okafor and keep RLC. Are they okay?
    Sell RLC.

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