Rafa Mir has confirmed that he was in talks with AC Milan over a move there last summer and he suggested that it was very close to going through, given he had his suitcases packed.
Mir was one of the options that Milan were heavily linked with towards the end of the 2023 summer mercato when the Mehdi Taremi deal collapsed. However, he did not end up joining and in the end the choice fell on Luka Jovic.
A report from Spain came out the day after the window closed confirming that Milan were in advanced talks with Sevilla and offered to pay €4m for the loan, as well as Mir’s entire salary. Their idea was also to include an option to buy valued at €17m.
Mir has given an interview to DAZN in Spain having just joined Valencia on loan with option to buy just under a year after the Milan move seemed on the cards. He recalled how things went, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
“In the summer of 2023 I told them that I wanted to leave, get a change of scenery and go to Valencia. The club had also bet on me,” he said.
“Sevilla set some conditions and at the last minute they decided to change them. Víctor Orta had given me his word, he had shaken my hand and told me that he would let me decide. And he told me that I would become a very important player. I went home resigned.
“I was waiting at home with my suitcase ready to take the plane to Milan, but Sevilla told me that they couldn’t find a replacement and that’s why they wouldn’t let me leave.
“Too bad that the day after the transfer market closed they announced another colleague was arriving (Mariano) and I was surprised. I didn’t cry at that moment but I had a great frustration and anger that lasted many months. Two great options, Valencia and Milan, were closed off because of that change in conditions.
“In January, Valencia appears on the scene again. They tell me that they have already reached an agreement and that they are exchanging information. Then Corona calls me and tells us that the conditions have changed and that they are withdrawing the offer.”
Who?
Sevilla. No need to say more
The worst news on the last summer mercato.