Just as it seemed Mats Hummels was heading for Bologna, a report has claimed that AC Milan are back in the running as the defender has not yet made a decision.
According to La Repubblica (via FantaMaster), confirmation has arrived from Bologna director Giovanni Sartori that they are interested in adding Hummels who would replace Riccardo Calafiori after his move to Arsenal.
“When we get a response from one of the first three choices, we will proceed, whether it is Hummels or one of the others,” Sartori said. He fears that competition will slow down the negotiations even further, with alternatives like Nehuen Perez of Udinese now being evaluated.
However, Milan have returned to thinking about the experienced central defender, who is currently a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund. Despite the imminent arrival of Strahinja Pavlovic, the management would like to give another reinforcement to Paulo Fonseca.
Now the ball will pass to Hummels, who will have to give an answer to both clubs in the coming days, effectively deciding what will be (or could well be) his last career adventure. For Milan he could replace Simon Kjaer as a veteran presence, or potentially Malick Thiaw if he is sold.
Yes please. We need his experience and a perfect substitute for Simon.
You can’t be serious.
Heck yeah!!! He was incredible against Milan in the group stage and played well in the playoffs too. Any club would do great to sign him.
True, only good enough for the German national team but definitly not ACM.
Are you high on something?
Really?
He was with the German National team at the Euro’s?
And I’m the one high, huh?
His experience would prove valuable for our relatively young backline. We need a leader like him if we want to go far in the CL. I’m all for him joining
You mean like an expensive cheerleader? Milan signed how many of those…
You’re clueless.
Why? Because I disagree with you and you can’t process it? 🙂
Instead of just stating “he’s a cheerleader”, want to elaborate? Why do you think he’s one? Did you watch him play last season?
Better then that Emerson guy. Hummels can be a good back up while Kalulu is moved to the RB.
WHAT.A.JOKE!
Anyone calling for this can NOT be serious. Hummels while experienced is old AND slow. Fonseca is trying to get this team to press high up and you want Slowmmels trying to push up then track back?
That’s not a disaster waiting to happen at all…
Thanks for telling us you don’t have a clue of what you’re talking about. Hummels had a great last season. He’s not coming to be a starter.
Stop it. Open your eyes. He’s completely useless in our system. Presumably you understand what Fonseca is trying to do, right?
Might as well field a washing machine. Look at the supporting cast he had around him at BvB. Look at the system they played.
What good was Kjaer for? Leadership? Sure. Useful outfield player? Hardly. Couldn’t outrun his shadow.
Milan will never sign a cheerleader. LMAO!!! Get real man.
So true, ACM1899 is high on something.
He performed admirably in champions league and kept up with everyone. It wouldn’t be bad to have him as a back up if thiaw leaves
I agree.
Hummels might bring leadership and experience, but he is a bad fit for the way Milan wants to play.
If Milan wants to sign another defender who is a free agent, Hermoso should be the one. He can play as a CB and be a backup for Theo on the left.
Slow???? LOL. Good old video gamer BS again. It’s so f’ng ridiculous people keep bashing basically anyone as “old and slow” just like all the footballers are like Usain Bolts or something. BTW, do you know how long Bolt’s football career lasted after he quit running and said he’ll start playing football instead? It never even started! Why? Because football is soooooooooooooooooo much more than just running.
I’ve said it hundred times and I’ll say it again. Pace. Isn’t. Everything.
Only clueless idiots who have never played the game think that it is.
bb you’re arguing something completely irrelevant. What are you even on about?
What attribute do you need to catch up to a forward who’s on a break running at your goal? It’s not leadership. It’s PACE/SPEED. Case in point – see Kjaer’s last few years at Milan.
No one said speed is all a defender needs. I certainly never did. But for the system Fonseca is trying to play Hummels doesn’t fit due to lack of pace.
But hey according to your logic only clueless idiots wouldn’t want him on their team, like Nagelsman who didn’t even bring him into the national team altogether.
Video Game BS huh?
“What attribute do you need to catch up to a forward who’s on a break running at your goal?”
The players who lack speed do pro-active work to not get into those situations. Kalulu & Thiaw have the speed alright but what do they do? Run around circles around the player and still let them score.
Kjaer wasn’t the fastest man on the pitch but still kept world-class strikers such as Harry Kane in his pocket. Did he do that with his pace? Nope. He didn’t need to because he had other qualities.
He will join Milan only if he’ll feature in the first XI which is not seems to be possible in the presence of Tomori and Pavlovic, though he will be good signing for Milan if possible
With Florenzi hurt. Signing him to move Kalulu to the wing makes sense. We needed more cover down the middle last year.
Eh. A lot of sturm un drang over what might not be that big of a deal if we sign him. Everyone citing his speed and our tactics is correct, but so are the people citing his experience. We do need these types of players and I’m guessing we won’t be play a suicidal high-press against the likes of the best/quickest teams we’ll come up against in Europe, so I think there is a place for him. The big issue is the price really. If he’s brought in at the 3M that has been quoted for Bologna for two seasons, then I think it’s fine. This will be even more possible if we get rid of Origi. Would definitely have been possible if we had gotten rid of Florenzi, but now we’re stuck with him for this final contract year (which coincidentally is 3M).
Here’s is a deep cut option: Diego Coppola from Verona (if Thiaw is sold). 10M ought to do it.
Love it, there’s not much buzz, young but played a fair amount. Under a proper coach should develop into a solid defender
I would have supported this transfer few months ago, but now that we’ve got Pavlovic, I feel that an extra defender would be too much in a squad that has yet to find chemistry after years. Like how many players do we have now ? How are we supposed to accomodate for him ? What would be his picking order ?…
Plus the benefit from him was his charisma and leadership, but we’ve got already an experienced player (Morata), so it feels less of an emergency anymore.
I guess the plus that he is free and we only have to take into account his salary.
Please, asap
Great choice. Get rid of the Thiaw and Kalulu, sign a right back (not Emerson) and we will have a complete back line
While he is experienced, he’s basically Mertersacker reincarnated. The man is slower than a 3 legged tortoise, and if we play a high press teams will constantly target him for his lack of pace. It depends who they put next to him, he would need pace like Tomori and Pavlovic minimum. Ppl wanna use the ucl run as an ex use to forget the past 4 years he’s had
Personally, I think he would be a great addition to the team. When building a team, I am not a fan of the theory where ‘everyone’ must have the same skill set to cater to a specific tactic. Sure, he isn’t fast like our other defenders, but there will be time where we have to sit deep and counter, and we need someone to marshall that defence line. Arguably, he would be the most suited for that job.
However, I’m not too fussed if we don’t get him.
He was fast enough to keep every Milan player from scoring. Including certain Rafael Leao.