Koni De Winter will soon become AC Milan’s new defensive signing, and there are multiple reasons why Massimiliano Allegri wanted him.
As Corriere dello Sport write, Milan acquired De Winter from Genoa in a ‘lightning fast’ deal and in the process managed to snatch him from under the noses of Inter. The defender had been one of the Nerazzurri’s targets, but the sale of Malick Thiaw allowed the Rossoneri to accelerate.
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Milan suddenly found themselves with a huge sum to invest immediately to replace the German centre-back, and with €40m available, they decided to focus on De Winter. The Belgian was chosen over Pietro Comuzzo and Giovanni Leoni for at least two reasons.
Why De Winter
The first is financial, as De Winter costs half as much as the defenders from Fiorentina and Parma. Furthermore, the two Italian clubs are rejecting several offers of €35-€40m and would like to retain their players.
The second reason that led Milan to pursue the Belgian player is that De Winter, at 23, has made nearly 70 appearances in Serie A, and has often played high-level matches against even the big clubs in the league.
He proved himself ready for the jump to Milan, and with €20m plus bonuses, the Rossoneri replaced Thiaw. After getting a huge capital gain by selling the German to Newcastle, the directors decided not to spend the entire sum, but only half.
Allegri knows him well having given him his Champions League debut at Juventus in the 2021-22 season, stating afterwards: “De Winter is more of a central defender, but he can also play full-back. He played a game with personality. I’m very happy with his performance.”
Allegri wanted the 23-year-old Genoa player because he can play in two positions: both in a three-man defence and a four-man defence. He’ll be Fikayo Tomori’s back-up in the right-centre position if the Rossoneri were to deploy a back four, or a starter in a 3-5-2/3-4-3.
This ability to adapt to multiple roles and different formations convinced the Diavolo that the deal was a good one. Indeed, in these summer friendlies, Milan have alternated between both three and four-man back lines, and they have added someone who feels right at home.
The Milan coach also likes De Winter because he is good with the ball, both in build-up play and in anticipation. Last season, he averaged 4.6 recoveries per game, and he has room for further improvement. His tactical versatility and potential convinced everyone.
You mentioned in the other article, but “the directors decided not to spend the entire sum, but only half” is completely misleading. Before bonuses and after Schalke’s sell on fee, it’s around 32M incoming and we have committed 20M to the fee here, with potential for other bonuses on top.
OK, so there’s a 10M saving or so, but Thiaw was one of the lower earners and benefitted from the growth decree… I’m not sure if de Winter does or not, being either way his wages will cost us ~3x what Thiaw’s did, so 15-16M over the five year contract (without any bonuses) – Thiaw was on just over 1M per year.
So Thiaw’s sale completely covers de Winter incoming including the extra salary. But don’t pretend “we only spent half”, be better than that please.
“the directors decided not to spend the entire sum, but only half.”
It really doesn’t matter. I’m usually the first one at this management’s neck but this is a good deal. I was always against huge spending but rather smart. And this mercato is like a breath of fresh air with proper targets and needed characteristics after disastrous last two summers, where acquisitions had no logic behind except potential resale value. However, I think they could do a lot better replacing Theo. I’m not really enthusiastic about Estupinan but still I hope he proves me wrong.
This ☝️☝️☝️100%
The Tare effect.
Agreed. The Ecuadorian needs a back up, otherwise he will suffer from Theo’s fate of not having to raise his performances due to lack of competition. Same for the RB.
Bravo I’m happy for him stay bless with more energy Forza Milan
Yes, Liverpool has been negotiating for Leoni last week. Romano reported it a few times, that he is their target for CD.
Sorry, wrong comment.
His price it’s more realistic than leoni / comuzzo. If they good as Italian media said, club like city / psg / united will come forward with fantastic offer.
Yes, Liverpool has been negotiating for Leoni last week. Romano reported it a few times, that he is their primary target for CD. If it fails Guehi.
KDW is a solid, good player and he’s not error-prone like Thiaw. I still think we need one more veteran CB though.
Djimsiti wouldn’t be bad.
Fee doesn’t matter. What matters he also had injuries every season from what I see, so who is playing in 3 men defence if 2 are injured? If Milan goes into season with 4 it isn’t serious. Good signing but missing one more defender.
I agree. They should target a Serie A veteran for 10M or under who would not have a problem spending time on the bench. I was going to say Baschirotto would be a good option, but it looks like he’s already moved this summer.
Djimsiti from Atalanta. 32, has around 300 serie A games and European experience. 5-6M probably ok for him. I think he can do 2-3 seasons without issues. Played full time for Atalanta last season. Can’t think of anyone else like this for low cost.
Maybe Romagnoli? 🤣
A very good option.
Why de Winter? Answer: because oir owners nothing now about football and dont want gave their money for 2 great Italian players.
If they buy them for 70m and that is great proce for 2 wonderkids from Italy, they cant sell them next year for 100m,because they dont know how will explain that decision for media and supporters.
Our owners is rats and i hope they soon sell club.
They need buy this 2 Italian and make them play together,but they only look profit year to year,nothing else and that is true.
Kiddo, leoni has played about 10 games and really didnt set the world on fire at all. He is nowhere near worth 40mil or more just because he’s 18. This would be on par with us charging 55mil for Bartesaghi last year. Comuzzo is also never worth that much. Have you watched Fiorentina at all? They can barely stay organized defensively for 10min… Maybe focus on unlocking the potential of the young Italians we already have at the club instead of blowing 40mil on a “young talent” with no proven success. Bartesaghi, Terraciano, Zeroli, Magni, Torriani, etc all should have focus placed in their development instead of just throwing stupid money at any and every potential talent from other teams
☝ this 👍
Two great players 😀. One played 8 season games and is 18 years old and the club is asking for 35 million for him, and the other is very modest and is nothing special, costs the same. I don’t believe that anyone will buy them under those conditions. No one can give 70 million for two cats in a bag, and Milan doesn’t have that much money to put on the line.
That is why Liverpool is going for Leoni. “Cats in bags”. Sure.
That is why Liverpool is going for Leoni. “Cats in bags”. Sure.