AC Milan’s recent Chinese takeover might enable the Lombardy club with a steady injection of cash to acquire prolific Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku who is presently in France preparing for his nation’s Quarter Final clash.
Corriere dello Sport claims that the Italian giants will target Belgium and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been linked with fellow Italian club Juventus along with Chelsea and Arsenal, after the Chinese takeover (via Football-Italia). Emanuele Giulianelli had previously claimed that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with the striker despite his club asking for £65m for the ex-Chelsea striker (via Express)
The Takeover and Benifits
Milan’s transfer dealings have been very slow this summer with the club takeover yet to complete. The general situation regarding the club’s transfer is also very murky and quite unclear. The Chinese ‘Consortium’ supposedly interested in buying the lion’s share of the club has not made any statements in the press.
New reports have suggested that the Chinese want to buy 80 per cent and not 70 per cent of the club, outright. It was naturally assumed that Milan will not move in the transfer market until and unless the takeover is complete. However, in a sudden move, only two days ago Milan entered into advanced negotiations with much sought after Pescara striker Gianluca Lapadula. The deal, which since then is understood to have been finalised with the player on his way to Milan.
But today, the Corriere dello Sport claims that the new owners were unhappy at the sudden decision, since Lapadula is a relatively unknown name and doesn’t have enough brand value. They have €100m ready to fuel the summer transfer kitty when the takeover gets complete and one of their first targets could well be Everton hitman Lukaku.
Lukaku, Raiola and Chelsea
Lukaku’ agent Mino Raiola enjoys a good relationship with Galliani, the Milan CEO. Infact Milan’s Ignazio Abate, Bonaventura and Mario Balotelli all are clients of Raiola. Raiola on a previous occasion had warned that his client Romelu Lukaku was simply “too expensive for Serie A”.
Chelsea who sold Lukaku are reportedly also in the list of clubs after Lukaku, after having sold him to Everton a year ago, when Lukaku complained of the lack of playing time.
With Diego Costa being heavily courted by his former club Atletico Madrid, Chelsea are looking for a potential replacement, should there be a need for one. However, Milan would also want to demonstrate their newly found financial muscle and it could cause a bidding war between the two clubs for the young Belgian.
