Yes. I think the management backing each other, and being 100% transparent is a huge factor now in why things are being seen differently.

There's also a general distaste setting in for money-hungriness in footballers and Gigio-Raiola has just not managed to convince people otherwise.

I also want to say I'm more than happy to have Perin in. So a line-up of Perin, Plizzari and Storari is great. I'd even say get one more GK in (maybe Gabriel). I'd like Plizzari to continue to play in the Primavera and join up with the squad next year once this whole Gigio storm has weathered over - so he'll be less under pressure.


I realise now, once I take my fan emotions out of the picture - we really don't lose much quality wise if Gigio leaves. Perin is probably as good a keeper if not better than Gigio is CURRENTLY. Of course Gigio has a chance at being a legend, but that is a long way away.

STATEMENT From Curva Sud:

“After [Italian President Sergio] Mattarella on December 31, it’s time for the unified speech by Mino Raiola on all the sports channels,” a statement from Curva Sud Milano begins, referencing the traditional end of year address by the Italian President.

“Obviously with his handpicked journalists, with previously agreed questions and all pre-recorded, because it should never be a real debate with real questions.

“It seems strange to see Raiola, who has always shunned the Press, opening his doors and trying to save the impossible.

“It seems strange to hear words like ‘hostile climate’, ‘forcing’, and ‘threats’ that translate financially to €25m in five years, the captain’s armband and six months of reflections to get to June and say they feel hurried.

“It’s seems strange to hear about a hostile climate for a lad who is the first Milan player in many years to have his own song from the fans and so much love from every single Milan fan.

“It seems strange to learn from Raiola that there was no discussion of wages or the length of the contract. Maybe because in the famous game of ‘the compensation that would be paid to Milan will go to me’, some elementary things have no value.

“It seems strange that Raiola, with his polished Italian and infinite culture, did not comprehend the simple meaning of a banner to which he referred!

“It seems strange that such a great agent was unable to represent the interests of his client.

“Instead he destroyed his image not only in the eyes of Milan fans, but of all football fans, who now find that an 18-year-old can be irreconcilable with the club which launched him in the sole interest of a man behind him, promising mountains of money.

“It seems strange that, just a few days after the farewell of Francesco Totti, in tears in front of his fans, a lad of 18 would prefer money to being treated as a God by his fans.

“For a sportsman, the gratitude of the fans has no financial value, and we invite Donnarumma to reflect upon what he has denied himself for the rest of his career.

“It doesn’t seem strange to us that Raiola didn’t explain how everything changed so fast.

“It doesn’t seem strange to us that a club symbol who really wanted to be one [Marek Hamsik] moved away from this character, becoming captain of the club [Napoli] he chose to love.

“It doesn’t seem strange even to try and cast old condors [Adriano Galliani] in a good light, who say they want the best for Milan having placed one who could have been a club symbol for the future in the hands of a vulture, so now he is merely the symbol of easy money.

“The actual reality of football is increasingly far from the passion of the people and closer to Raiola-style characters, figures capable of conditioning whole careers and histories of the most important clubs with one goal: their own self-interest.

“We want to thank those who are working for the good of Milan, and have brought people with Rossoneri values back to the club, people who really meant it when they kissed the badge and deserved it when they received affection.

“We know it must have been difficult for the lad to defend himself from the thousands of criticism and insults he’s received in the past few days, but when you swear love and betray it, that’s all that can happen.

“On social media it’s likely that things have been over the top, and of course we don’t think threats are right, they have nothing to do with our position.

“We believe there may still be a chance to rebuild things, but it’s now linked to the expulsion for his affairs of those who pushed him in a bad direction, ruining his image.

“Players come and go, the club and the fans will always remain.”

Neah. Milan management may have its faults, but Raiola really blew this one and is now losing the PR battle (not just my opinion, BTW). As it stands, he now faces the likelihood that Dolla will sit out the year (and in fact he has made it easier for Milan to do that, as management now has a legit reason to not play him, one that will probably stand up in court). Milan loses big, but after sitting on the bench for a year, Dolla is unlikely to play in the WC and if he ever makes it to Real or any of his choice destinations, it will not be as a starter. So Dolla loses big as well. And at "parametro zero", Raiola loses too (though he clearly can afford it, as he is the one making this about "principle" and not money).

Raiola's handling of the situation was pitiful, starting with his insulting the new Milan ownership months ago (why? what did he gain by that?) all the way to yesterday's press circus, which only sunk him deeper in a hole.

Indeed. Real wants De Gea, not Dolla. Raiola has f****ed Milan, but he has also f****ed Dolla. As it stands, he will now sit for a year, will miss WC, and (as a result) he will be a lot less attractive to other clubs. If he ends up at Real (a big"if") he for sure will not be a starter. The fact that he is "parametro zero" will make him attractive to many clubs, but the fact that he has not played a year will exclude any big name (at least as a starter). So, exactly, how have these actions helped Dolla? Only "winner" is Raiola, as he has enough money that he does not really care, and (in his mind) he has shown Milan who is boss.

Thought you/Milan didn't care about the money we'd be losing out on?

To me my earlier opinion stands.

Danny I never said that, I think you don't read my comments at all.

Exactly what money is Milan losing out on? What legit offers have we received? I have yet to see anything. Real, PSG, and Juve all have plans that do not include Dolla.

Official statements have been made leaving the door open. All we have is rumors that the Chinese owners do not want to sell. I am inclimed to believe there may be something to these rumors, but there has been no confirmation (and in fact the official statements contradict them).

The fact remains that there are no offers for Dolla. Teams will just wait for when he is "parameter zero".

Donnarumma and Milan may not be finished yet. There could be a meeting with his family tomorrow. Milan have stalled negotiations for a new goalkeeper, as there are signs of a reopining of negotiations with Donnarumma. Raiola's brother will travel to Poland to speak with Donnarumma to know his intentions. #Sky

Don't see how we can have a long term relationship at this point. Certainly not unless Dolla is willing to throw Raiola under the bus, and I don't see Raiola letting that happen.

My apologies, I mixed you up with Forza Milan.

The guy has a market value. A significant one. Just because as yet we have not publicly received a bid does not suddenly mean there won't be one. And that is money to us, money we can use on both a replacement and in other areas of the pitch. Just because our Asian owners are rich doesn't mean we should rely on them.

I just think some members of the board are being a bit flippant over this!

"The price, or monetary value, of something is determined in the marketplace and is based upon the law of supply and demand. [...]." (Wikipedia)

There currently is no "demand" for Dolla (as there are no offers on the table), hence his monetary value (as it stands) is 0. Now, that may change in the future. Then again, it may not change before he becomes available at a cost of 0. (Why would a team pay right now when they can get him free in a year?)

I strongly disagree with you here.

Good. That means we have a legit offer, right? (If not, I am afraid I am right. If nobody is willing to pay money for him, his value is zero.)

Atm his market value is very low. Why? because his contract is running out and it is public knowledge that he does not want to renew.

It's pointless to discuss how much he could potentially be worth, no club will come in with the 100m we could have asked for had we had any leverage.

Also, we're basing all this on hypotheticals of Real wanting him, but the only keeper they're interested in is De Gea, I don't think Dolla fits their criteria for player selection. The only club I can really see coming in for him with a good offer is PSG and he himself will probably not want to go there.

Juve would be much happier to wait him out, Buffon will stay for another year, so it would be the absolute best scenario for them to negotiate with him in January and he goes there for nothing. Thus they have an instant Buffon replacement for nothing.

I think all this talk of being happy to make him sit out the season is mostly just a tactic to get clubs who are interested to make a proper offer. Or it could be used as a message to Donna, that if he doesn't renew then he's going to have to face the consequences.

I personally don't think this story is over just yet

Damn, I wrote 3 paragraphs but I accidentally close my window and cant get what I wrote.

Basically, your concept in determining value is wrong and can't interpret demand like the way you are. That would mean that Messi had no value. There are othet circumstances you are not taking into consideration.


Florentino Perez: "Mbappé and Donnarumma are great players and the best players should play in Real Madrid."

Florentino Perez: "The world tells that Donnarumma is Buffon's heir. Yes, its true, we're interested in him."

Now rumours are that Gigio might come back to the table and renew after all. I'm not sure about it but lots of people saying if he apologizes and fires Raiola we'd welcome him back. Will we?

I dunno. I've sort of made peace with him going. I don't think I care for him that much anymore. He should take what pride he has left and clear out. Make a name elsewhere for himself.

Di Marzio: I contacted the club, and they confirmed they have received signals of rethinking from Donnarumma.

Corriere della Sera: Contact between Fassone and Donnarumma's family could resume later today. This saga is far from over.


Enzo Raiola has fly for Poland.

Ugh. I don't want Dolla on any level. No. I'll find it hard to support him. I was already bored with him well before the end of last season, now it's complete dislike.

Your thinking is a little askew here.

While you're pedantically correct to say that a commodity is only worth what someone is willing to pay, by your logic Ronaldo is worth 0 because no one has officially bid on him.

And yet, as we know, that is completely untrue.

There are technically three values. The initial crude value the seller places on the item, then the value someone is willing to part with for it. The final value is what it actually goes for.

Contract expiry isn't really as relevant as it seems. If PSG bids 20M, City have to bid 30M. If Real then bid 35M, PSG must go to 40M.

A bidding war negates the expiry of the contract being close.

I agree it means you don't get the 100M we could have, but it will still be a very good sum.

But once again, your'e assuming something which atm is non-existent.

The only clubs which I can see going for him would be Real and/or PSG. Juve would only become an option if he's for free

I personally can't see any sort of bidding was ensuing for him, and if we were to sell him I can't see him going for a lot, maximum would be 40m, but it's still a massive hit for us

I think all this discussion will soon be not necessary since there is a real chance that the guy renews with Milan. I am just curious go know if we are tenewing him so we sell him for more money or to keep him.

It must be to sell for more money. I'm guessing a non-CL release clause of around 30- 35 MM will be signed in as well. Just guessing.

Meh! I was looking forward to Perin. He's too good to be second keeper though.

I was also low-key looking forward to Perin as well. He's a keeper I used to really like. Learning of his recent injury layoff I was a bit skeptical as to how it would affect him moving forward and also if he would regain form easily.
Either way... We have no idea what's going to happen at this point. It's just for us to wait and see.
If Dolla stays and extends, I would really like for it to be under the terms of releasing Raiola (although this might be wishful thinking)

It's a toxic situation. He is now damaged goods in fans' eyes, and it's common knowledge he doesn't want to be at Milan - so for him to sign a new deal after all this will take some incredible performances in goal plus a lot of contrition for any fans to actually view him as an acceptable player again.

As for me I'm done with him whatever he does. Don't want him at Milan, and I won't support him if he stays. I will never praise anything good he does, and only criticise his mistakes. Which had become an increasing occurrence last season anyway!

Oh! So you're gonna go be Danny Funkiller again.

If we're going to renew, so we can sell him for 60MM plus, I'm okay.

If we're going to renew and he's gonna carry on as if nothing happens, well then f@ck that. It will take a public apology from his end and a couple of performances for me to drop it. Plus I'd like to see some growth (especially on goal kicks). Otherwise we'll soon we saying - wish we'd sold this guy right off the bat.

Indeed. Real is "following" Dolla but they are not going to make an offer. Same with PSG. Teams are going to wait it out, which is why Dolla's appeal (and hence value) is much lower now. In other words, I believe Raiola's actions have hurt Dolla's opportunities, which is probably why they re-opened discussions. I hope the goal is to renew in order to put Raiola in a better position to find Dolla another club, rather than for us to keep Dolla long term. I don't see how he could stay with us at this point.

Yeah. I think the truth is with the exception of PSG, there really are no clubs that truly 'need' Donnarumma enough to pay for him this year.

All the rest are comfortably set. One poor season from Man Utd and DDG could be on his way as well. So there are options.

Why change the habit of a lifetime?



I too would be ok with that. But doesn't mean I'm ever going to support him again.



tbh he could turn into the demon child of Buffon, Zoff, Neuer and DDG and I'd still not drop it.

Guys, I want you to read this article. It mentions some of the reasons why I'm so keen for us to sign James Rodriguez despite him being out of favour at Real Madrid.

James Rodriguez

I guess we all know about James's attacking prowess. The point is his defensive contribution and general work ethic. Unfortunately our team doesn't have monsters who can sweep up while James neglects his defensive duties. Especially if we're playing 4-3-3. He might work as an old school #10, but I think that era is sort of behind us.

Spanish site Don Balon CLAIMS that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has accepted a €60m offer from Milan for James Rodriguez. Problem lies in the fact that James continue to prioritize a move to Man United, whose offer is far from what Real is requesting.

If he wants Utd, forget him.

It's been rumored that Dolla is reconsidering our contract offer now and Raiola went to Poland today to meet with him.

We're also now linked with Cuadrado.

Milan are also interested in signing Pietro Pellegri from Genoa and leave him on loan at Genoa for two years, according to @DiMarzio Twitter

Happy to see Milan making these kind of moves. Juve have been buying up a lot of the young Italian talent and leaving them at their club until they're ready for a while now. Always thought it was smart business.

Juve just signed him (!)

Milan and Lazio are yet to find a deal for Biglia. Milan don't want to bid more than €13m-15m for the player. Lazio still ask for €20m for Biglia, as a result Milan could turn to Grzegorz Krychowiak who was set as an alternative for the Argentine international [Sky].

Kalinic has always been a Milan fan and has given his OK for the move [Sky].

Mirabelli will meet with Fiorentina sporting director Corvino tomorrow for Kalinic, per Gianluca Di Marzio. Lapadula could be inserted in the possible deal that sees Kalinic join Milan.

Milan's new offer for Perin is €8m + Gabriel and Vangioni on loan with option to buy (for Genoa) (Via Goal Italia)

Raiola not Kean's Agent

I found this article fascinating for two reasons -

1. Obviously Raiola's stock is at an all-time low now. SAF had tried to tar him as a sleazy agent over Pogba, but it hadn't stuck, but this time half of Italy is up in arms against the bloke and now everyone is on the bandwagon. Milan took down a super-agent and are forcing him to come to heel. This is great.

2. The nature of the contracts to sign up young players is crazy. They promised his father farming equipment?!!! WTF!!! Is that what it takes nowadays. How is this even legal?


On Kalinic----No. I'd rather keep Bacca and pair him with Silva. I don't really know any player I'd want from this Fiorentina to be honest.

Bernardeschi?

Too costly I think. I heard rumours of a 40 MM price tag. Any young Italian attacker is just obscenely expensive these days.

Lots of noise around Dolla's potential change of mind, and discussions with other GK options appeared to be stalled. Some "backpeddaling" in public forums (including Dolla's relative that called Milan a bunch of clowns on Twitter), and Raiola has gone quiet (though that may be because of the Pogba trouble).

Personally, I would rather we move on. IMHO, it does not matter if what happened was Dolla's doing or Raiola's instigation. The damage has been done, and short of Dolla sacking Raiola I don't see how he can "recover" in the eyes of the larger fan base (yes, there are a number of fans that are begging him to reconsider after he re-opened the door, but I am not sure they are the majority).

Best I can hope for is that we find a way to get some money out of him (though it does not look very likely right now).

Yes. On the other hand let's be honest. Memories are short. At this point in time I want him sold - but if we were to revisit this in a year's time assuming he's renewed and we've reached CL places, I doubt all of this 'history' will matter. It will be put down to an 'unfortunate misunderstanding' or whatever.

Good point :-). Though we have to get there first, and I would expect a not-entirely-friendly attitude by Curva Sud at the beginning of the season.

Nah, he's just not that impressive imo, the only player I'd take out of Fiorentina would be Valero. He is getting a bit long in the tooth but I just think the guy oozes class on the ball. He'd be a great add, especially if not used as an automatic starter

That being said, Inter are in advanced talks for him


Well if we can get him to renew that would be a major headache solved. Because whether he leaves for a huge sum in one or two year or whether he stays long term, we'll be the big winners out of all this.

The way Fassone has handled this situation from the very beginning has been masterful. The entire press is on Raiola's back atm, we have the complete upper hand now, from a situation which could have been disastrous for us, we've come out the winners, and this is probably the first time that Raiola will have to heel in front of a club and turn back on his final word.


I think if he renews, the fences will already be mended, if not completely then very close to it. A major part of the ire from Milan fans was because by not renewing him and his agent would be screwing the club over royally. By renewing, whether he stays or goes, the club benefits big time. So I think that if he does renew, he'll be welcomed back by the majority.

Personally I'd want him to play if he renewed, because even if the intention behind closed doors is to agree to sell next summer, he can't sit on the bench, he needs to play so his value stays high (or goes even higher). If he stays long term, I'm sure the majority of fans will forgive and forget.

I think the fact that Perin's agent has said that for now all talks are stalled says a lot. I think the management want to see this through, and the only reason they'd abandon advanced talks with another keeper is if they have positive indications from Donna's camp

Regarding other mercato goings on

This Biglia and Conti thing is really dragging on. I really want to see us close both out so we can move on to other targets, namely a great midfielder

Biglia looks to be getting complicated while Conti could be closed by the end of the week.

If we can't close the Biglia deal this week, I really do think we should look elsewhere as we can't afford to waste anymore time if we want to give Montella 70% of the final squad by the start of pre-season. Plus all the Donnarumma BS has also really messed up our strategy in the transfer market

Fans have long memories. I still don't forgive many of those who wronged us in the past. Pirlo remains, for example, toxic to me.

According to la Repubblica, Donnarumma's father has asked Raiola to accept Milan's proposal of a contract renewal.

In general, I don't trust Italian news sources, particularly on sports. However, La Repubblica is probably one of the better ones, and I believe they have a pro-Juve bias. So, there is a possibility this may actually be true, and (if so) Raiola would have to comply.

If this really happens, it is the best possible outcome for us, given what our situation was just a few days ago. That said, I am going to have a real hard time supporting Dolla, and I believe many other fans will feel the same way. Hopefully this will not end up affecting Dolla's performance on the field.

Worth noting that (if this really happens) both Fasso and Mira would be vindicated, and a lot of people will end up eating crow, starting from Raiola, including a couple of CM writers, as well as Berlu. Dolla's brother in law (and author of the infamous "Milan are a bunch of clowns" tweet) already started down that path.

I don't understand why we're so fixated with Kalinic. The guy is the epitome of mediocre. I thought with Fassone and Mirabelli we'd finally move on from these type of signings.