Love him or hate him, AC Milan’s vice president – Adriano Galliani is undoubtedly the most successful CEO’s in European football. Commonly known as Mr. G by the Milanistas, he has displayed a vision which has taken Milan to unscalable heights. The finesse with which he bargained in the summer transfer window ensured that Milan re-registered itself as one of the European championship contenders. Although the Rossoneri were two years too late to get the reinforcements but they got the best deals in terms of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and KP Boateng, the three players who have made the “difference” this season. Mr. G could have done better with offloading the liabilities, as Seedorf can still be seen parked in the midfield, but its never too late to start the “phase out” of the Dutch legend.
This is that time of the year where Milan will not want to spend much and try to squeeze out the best buys. They will have to keep an eye on their future European challengers as well and tweak the squad accordingly. The need of the hour is a lightening fast full back, one mideo – favorably attacking and a strong central Defender. Mr. G has started rolling his cards and amidst rumors, only time will tell if Milan can overcome some of their shortcomings.
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The Done Deal
Antonio Cassano:
The bad boy of Italy had an altercation with Sampdoria’s president Riccardo Garrone and; as a result his contract was terminated. AC Milan have suffered enough due to recurring injuries to Pato and they had to find a replacement for Super Pippo. This gave rise to a dream that was non-existent when Milan was in abundance of strikers. The dream has been transformed into reality and the estranged striker has signed for the Diavolo. He will earn €2.7 Million per season and Milan along with Sampdoria will have to pay €5 Million to Real Madrid according to the buy-out clause. He also joined Milan in the winter training camp in Dubai and will be an official Milan player on January 03, 2011 and on this occasion, Fabio Capello might have a piece of advice for him – “Curb Your Cassanata”.
Ronaldinho:
After being offered with enough chances, the 30 year old Brazilian has failed to deliver to the expectation. He is out of favor at Milan and it is embarrassing to see the former World player of the year being benched consistently. Ronaldinho has scored 25 goals for AC Milan since he joined in 2008-09 and his contract is about to expire in June after 6 months. R80 reportedly wants €3.2 Million before moving out and as a result Milan have declared that they will not release him for free and have quoted €8 Million for any club to buy him. R80 can leave for free in June but it is highly unlikely that a player of his caliber will wait that long. Brazilian Club – Gremio – are at the pole for this deal and the money talks are on. Other potential buyers are Flamingo and with the aid from sponsors it will be a big fight.
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Almost There
Erik Lamela:
Mr. G has been in touch with his scouts in Argentina and has launched a massive bid to sign the River Plate teen sensation. Lamela has great potential and was noticed by Barcelona’s youth academy when he was 12 years old. The Argentine rejected Barca’s offer back then and is famously called as the boy who refused to go to the Nou Camp. AC Milan has lodged a €12 Million bid for Lamela. If rumors are to be believed, the Italian giants have secured the services of Lamela but nothing officially has been revealed by the Rossoneri. If the transfer materializes he will stay in Argentina until this season and join Milan in the next summer.
THT Verdict: Almost Complete
Kevin Prince Boateng:
The Ghanaian international has been so influential at Milan that Galliani has already made a move with Genoa in a swap deal for Alberto Paloschi. This might not be a good idea as the desire that Paloschi has shown to play for Milan has been admirable and this move could see Milan lose out on a full fledged home grown Italian striker, something which hasn’t been seen in a long time. Not denying that KPB should be secured but a swap deal like this seems unfathomable.
THT Verdict: Highly Possible
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Potential Prospects
Stephane Sessegnon:
The Benin international currently plays in France for Paris St. Germain and was insulted by his coach Antoine Kombouare and wants to move out. He has gone out and openly said that there is nothing that can be done to make him stay at PSG. The 26 year old star will be a best buy for the Rossoneri if they are to mark an end to Clarence Seedorf and his static misery. Are there any scouts in France?
THT Verdict: Not Happening
Kevin Constant:
The Chateauroux midfielder, currently on loan at Chievo, is being closely monitored by AC Milan. Max Allegri admires the guy and the French is certainly in the scheme of things. He is certainly a buy for the future if not now. He has no goals to boast about for the Gialloblu but his performance against Juventus has not gone unnoticed. Another one to help relieve Zee?
THT Verdict: Possible
Ezequiel Garay:
Adriano Galliani has said that he approached Real Madrid for the Argentine defender and was denied by Florentino Perez. It’s not so easy as it looks though as the Los Blancos still owe the Rossoneri oodles of money from the Kaka deal and as soon as talks move to an “advance level” there is no denying that Garay could be seen sporting the famous Red and Black.
THT Verdict: Less possibility
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Lost Oppurtunities
Edin Dzeko
The Wolfsburg striker has not hidden his desire to play for Milan and he should have been bought even before the likes of Ibrahomovic; but somehow Galliani’s magic didn’t work in Germany and the Bosnian international will sign the deal with Manchester City this season
Andrea Ranocchia
He could have ended Milan’s woes as far as a good CB was concerned, but Merda beat the Rossoneri to it and the promising defender is now an official Inter Milan player since December 27, 2010
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Baseless Rumors
1. Philippe Mexès from AS Roma in a move to ged rid of Oguchi Onyewu who might move to FC Basel. Highly unlikely but you never know, considering Berlusconi’s proclivity towards the Golden locks
2. Marc Van Bommel from Bayern Munich. Again not happening, especially with Cassano in Milan. Allegri will not like two hot headed players in his outfit
3. Mario Balotelli from Manchester City. For all his desires to play in Milan colors, he needs to mature enough to even be considered. Maybe something for the future and this could turn into a reality if Pato goes to Chelsea.
Apart from these high value deals AC Milan have always aimed to build a relationship with the other side. Genoa are friends now, River Plate have bonded well with Bruno Montelongo last summer and now Lamela. Galliani has managed a neat relation with Munich in the past and it would be safe to say that they share a prosperous relationship with Madrid as well. Although the Los Blancos still owe them money for the Kaka deal, knowing Galliani for these many years, for sure he will manage to squeeze out the last drip of Profit from the Bernabeu.