AC Milan are one of the world’s most prestigious and successful teams of all time. They have won the Serie A 17 times, been runners-up 14 times, won the Supercoppa Italiana a record 5 times, 7 Champions League titles and another record 3 intercontinental titles. In contrast to this they finished 3rd and 5th in the last two Serie A seasons and were not at all challenging in any competition either. Add to that the sale of one the world’s best midfielder doesn’t paint a rosy picture for the Rossoneri in the coming season.
But things looked to change for the better when Galliani announced, rather ambitiously, Milan’s policy to reduce the average age of their squad. The cash impetus from the sale of Kaka opened the doors for some serious rebuilding under a new manager.
First it was Aly Cissokho, then Edin Dzeko and now Luis Fabiano. These were players AC Milan needed in their squad and the fans must have been overjoyed with their club being linked with them. But it was not to happen, and that too in the most puzzling of circumstances.
It was first announced that Milan and completed all formalities of the Cissokho deal and the move was only pending a medical. This medical we are talking about was also taken by a 28 year old fat and out of shape Ronaldinho and a certain aging Favalli. And this was the very medical Cissokho failed to clear because of a problem with his teeth. Hmmm interesting. Right after that, it was announced that Milan wished to sign the player on either a lower transfer fee or on a loan with a view to sign later. This gives added impetus to the news that it was actually money which caused the deal to fail.
The case of Dzeko is a well documented one. The player is in phenomenal form and AC Milan were spot on in targeting him as a partner for Pato in their squad. But Wolfsburg were not at all in any requirement of money and stubbornly refused to even consider any offers from Milan. Again, here is the fishy part, Dzeko has reiterated time and again, that he does not want to play for Wolfsburg the coming season and it’s Milan where “his heart lies”. History is evidence to innumerable instances when if a player wishes to leave, the transfer does happen against the actual wishes of his parent club albeit at a higher transfer fee. Thus, the implication that Milan might have been miserly here too.
It was announced yesterday that Milan have broken off all negotiations with Sevilla for Fabiano. They were not ready to budge from their valuation of 14m euros and Sevilla are not ready to accept that bid. 14m euros for a profilic goal scorer?? Are you joking!! And this is Sevilla, known to take the best out of a deal (I am referring to Del Nido ofcourse).
Whatever the true reasons may be, I sincerely hope that Milan overcome them and manage to assemble a reasonably fit and fighting team. Kaka’s and Gourcuff’s departure will sure count as negatives but they have world class talent in the form of Pato and a certain Tabare Viudez. Till then, I think the Rossoneri fans can only pray for some sensible dealings by their beloved club in the transfer market.
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