AC Milan put the brakes on a potential move for Jean-Philippe Mateta thanks in part to the intervention of Igli Tare, it is claimed.
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Milan’s winter transfer window ended with a dramatic turn of events that saved them from a risky investment worth over €35m. The deal for Mateta – which seemed to be concluded on the last day of the mercato – fell through just shy of being signed afte he failed his medical.
According to journalist Franco Ordine (via MN24), Milan’s 180-degree turn was due to diplomatic and medical teamwork that prevented what could have been a disastrous operation for the Rossoneri.
Tare’s tip-off
The operation was hatched by the Giorgio Furlani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic axis with the support of Geoffrey Moncada, but it was the sporting director Igli Tare (also involved in the process) who raised the alarm in time.
Thanks to his extensive contacts and in-depth knowledge of the international transfer market, Tare apparently received crucial information about Mateta’s knee condition, advising the management to exercise extreme caution.
The alarm the became a scientific certainty thanks to Dr. Stefano Mazzoni, Milan’s medical director. A series of in-depth examinations, conducted with ‘extreme expertise’, revealed a physical issue that would have kept the player sidelined for months (there’s talk of a 3-4 month sideline and possible surgery).
Faced with the report and the doubts raised by Tare, Milan decided to withdraw from the deal, despite pressure from Crystal Palace and the need for an attacking reinforcement following the muscle problems of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic.
As Tare himself stated on the sidelines of the match against Bologna: “The Mateta operation was about the future. We encountered a physical problem and decided not to continue.” The club’s confidence is now entirely placed in the return of Gimenez and the solidity of Füllkrug.