Annoying thing is that kessie extension is also struck. We need to sort this out

Great minds


Isn't he more of a wide player? I remember him really playing well against us in the first game we played at the San Siro

But I'd only take him as a squad player, no where near good enough to be our starting AM. And he's not the right kinf of profile for that position in Pioli's system

I still think Ziyech would be the best option for us, can play both central and wide right, hit 2 birds with one stone in terms of rotation and depth and then we can think of a player like Zaccagni

I really can't think of a right profile to replace Hakan though...


This is terrible for us. I still maintain that we should have just given him that extra mil. Ridiculous to think that we're losing another starting player for free over not budging on the contract. With Donna it was an extreme case and I agree with the club, it was simply not a sustainable request, but 1m difference between offer and demand and now we have to dip into this kind of market to buy an AM? Stupid imo

I wasn't worried yesterday but today doubts are starting to creep in. All that we've done so far this summer is weaken the squad...


Agreed totally. Plus we have to look into upgrading the bench as well... I don't know what our budget looks like but this is worrying. i don't think we have the money to fill both positions... That's why I was in the renew camp. This has opened a huge can of worms for us


This is one of my biggest worries. These renewal sagas cannot be left to the final year again. I know why we delayed with all the current players like Hakan and Kessie, because before Pioli came, none of them were really performing up to par and there were doubts on whether we should even keep them. But we've really backed ourselves into corners now with all these contracts running down.

We simply have to renew Kessie and Romagnoli ASAP. And I would add Theo and Bennacer to that list. We must not let these contracts go beyond the 2 year mark.

What do we think about Shaqiri and Isak?

Shaqiri I think has the attributes to do what Pioli wants in that role and Isak has been amazing for Sweden imo

I don't think we'd have to break the bank for either

Btw, it's really funny that he decides to go to Inter for 1m more when they can barely pay their current players. Not to mention that this is going to put them under even more financial pressure than they were already in


Good luck with that cugini

Bro, Hakan not renewing has been in the air for weeks. You can't say this news now changes your perspective on our mercato, which was optimistic until yesterday.

I told you sh*t does not look good.



No to Shaqiri for me, don't know this Isaac guy.



Actually, Capanoglu will replace Eriksen who is set to leave after what happened, as per Lega Calcio regulations he cannot play with the defibrillator they placed in him.

Eriksen earns 7.5M at Inter, so they're actually saving a few bucks.

There were no definites. And it looked like offers weren't going to come in for Hakan... We'll see but I just can't see us replacing an AM and bringing in a RW of the quality we need in the same window.

But where will Eriksen go? Can they simply terminate his contract?

Plus, Hakan now will earn twice as much as Barella and Lautaro. With Eriksen it's acceptable as he was a top class player. Hakan though is coming in froma rival team and hasn't done much of anything in his career

There were no definites, but it seemed plausible he was never going to renew.



No idea what's gonna happen with him, but obviously he can't stay in the payroll since he's not eligible to play. They'll probably end their relationship on mutual terms.

The worrying thing this time is that Maldini doesn't seem to have s replacement in the works. Anyway, **** him

That tells you only how the Inter boys are behaving. If it were Milan they'd already demanded bigger salaries. But what will happen with Eriksen, Lautaro and Hakan is Inter's concern, I don't give a damn.

As for Milan, yes, this is exactly what I thought was happening. We are getting weaker and weaker. I get you X-O; I was the one who initially told you Hakan is completely unreliable and inconsistent, knowing him from HSV and Leverkusen days. This was then time when you two tried to prove he can play a Pirloesque DM. Well...

Anyway, Hakan was immensely important for Pioli's system even when he played badly or was invisible, because of the rhythm, flow and tempo. I'm not sure who's gonna replace him now.

Oh and the argument that De Paul is now playing along Messi isn't exactly stunning either. Several terrible players played for Argentina and with Messi through the decades at the Copa. This is me not wanting to say De Paul is terrible, just overrated. But, we'll see. Atletico is the right place to be right now.

I read Donny van de Beek, Ceballos, Isco and some other players being mentioned. We'll see what Maldini cooks up this time. But I have a feeling the upcoming season will be a horrible embarrassment.

Hmm, don't think I've ever considered Capanoglu to play as DM, but anyway, yes, back in the day I really had high hopes for him.



Yes, he was ideal for Pioli's system. But you know what's even better? A player who's ideal for your system AND doesn't suck balls 50% of the time.



Amongst all the names we've linked with, De Paul would have been the best option. Or do you prefer Zaccagni or Adli instead? We would have been extremely lucky to get him, but obviously Atletico don't mess around and just barfed 40M like it was peanuts.

We'll never compete with the big clubs because we cannot spend like a big club. And that's simply because we're owned by a fund. Elliott will never take chances and borrow money to buy top players, because it would devalue the club for potential investors.

As I said in a previous post, we only have 105M of debt (as per the 30/06/20 financial statements), which in reality is not a true debt per se, but payables to factoring companies for advances on future receivables in reference to commercial contracts. They are in fact self-liquidating, considering that they are advances on receivables, such as TV rights or the collection of payments for players sold on the transfer market, which the club will collect in the coming months.

So, in reality, we have zero debt. Atletico Madrid, for comparison, have over one billion of debt in their accounts. And so do most big clubs. That's where they get most of the cash they spend on the market for players, and that's how they can afford them. Is it sustainable in the long term? No idea. But operating as Elliott wants us to operate, we'll never go anywhere.



I agree. Things look extremely bleak.

I think you've considered him to be a good solution at the time for CM position when we were playing a 3 man midfield. Given the players we had, didn't think it was a bad idea at the time. Well, apparently, Hakan created the most opportunities of any midfielder in the top 5 leagues...it's hard to image but that's the statistic.

Yes, as mezzala, but not as a Pirloesque DM. He will be deployed as mezzala at Inter in the mold of Luis Alberto at Lazio, with Brozovic and Barella being the Leiva-Milinkovic counterparts.

Where did you read that stat? Cos I find it hard to believe.

Was this when Han tried to prove that Hakan and Bruno Fernandes have virtually the same impact perhaps

https://scontent-mrs2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6...amp;oe=60D79428


It was posted on the IFTV page stats via OPTA

They've had similar numbers


Anywhoo

Management better be looking at AMs and wingers

The fans are happy for now and they gave them kudos for how they've dealt with Donna. And for now Hakan is going to have the target on his back. But if they don't replace him and don't find a proper RW solution, things are going to turn sour quickly

Add to that the added headache of finding alternatives for Kessie

And personally, I don't want to see us being linked with Zaccagni, or Baselli or any other mid-range player from Aerie A who has never played CL football or even for a top level club

We're going to be in the CL again next season, we have to act like it or we'll be back to the EL very quickly


The club has good relationships with clubs like Chelsea, Real, Utd, etc. Alll have AMs we can take off of them if we go in with a good offer.

Van de Beek is good, Ziyech as well and Isco would also be a good option imo. I think he still has a lot to give and Serie A could be a good change for him. Whatever it is, they have to go for a player at this level. Same goes for the RW and the extra CDM

Whatever. He is still mediocre.

It?s official now, but get this: 3-year contract, salary 4.5 million in the first year (vs the 4M we offered), 5M for the remaining two years.

What a backstabbing SOAB. To go to Inter for 2.5M more in total. You have to be really vile. At least Dollarumma will be earning 20M more at PSG.

This better be the last time we have to lose someone for free!

We've lost serious money on both players, money we could have desperately used

The management must take a hard stand against players going into their final year. Either renew now, find a new club that could guarantee us the requested transfer fee or sit for the entire season.

The management should have tackled both Donnarumma and Hakan situations last summer in such a manner. To lose both players for free when we're desperate for cash flow is unforgivable imo. If both didn't want to renew we should have sold them last summer.

This now applies for Kessie and Romagnoli. We cannot go into next season with their futures unclear. Either commit to stay now or be sold

Indeed. Kessie is a must, Calabria also. Romangoli sell him if he doesn't accept our offer.

What do you guys think of Damsgaard? He always impressed me with Samp whenever I watched them play, and he was great for Denmark last night. More of a left winger, but can also play as AM. Only 20 years old. Future champion?

I agree, he impressed me as well. And maybe Kjaer could send in a few good words.

Mandzukic farewell message:

It was a pleasure to play for @acmilan - I am thankful to the club management for giving me the opportunity, to the coaching staff for their dedicated work and to my teammates who are not only excellent players but a great group of guys I am happy that we have managed to get this great club back to @championsleague where it belongs and I wish everybody at the club only the best in the future.

Capanoglu farewell message:

Thank you for everything Milan.

Mandzukic stayed with us for 6 months and barely played, yet he took the time to write a heartfelt farewell message. The mercenary instead only bothered with a mere 'thank you'. After spending 4 years with this club, who picked him in Germany and supported him in the toughest moments of his career. Yet he signs for the rivals, leave the club on a free and only for a few bucks more. What an ungrateful SOAB.

Let's not waste any more time on this guy. He's history, hopefully he'll follow the path taken by Collovati, Guly, Cassano and a few others.

Di Marzio: "Milan are deciding whether to make a real offer to Sampdoria for Damsgaard. They like so much the player, they follow and consider him a talent with a great prospect. There is no negotiation with Sampdoria but Milan are thinking about it. "

Good. All for it.

I think we should make the effort with Romagnoli as well. We need 3 great CB options for next season. Him, Tomori and Kjaer are all starting quality. We can either keep Caldara with them or try to bring in a mid-level Serie A CB who can play Coppa and smaller league games.

Gabbia or Kalulu should be loaned imo. We shouldn't be relying on them should another injury crises arise


Did you see the one with the blue paint bucket. The guy is absolute garbage. I personally think something happened. Maybe it's Ibra and they were not getting along, I don't know, but to go to Inter for a meagre 500k makes no sense to me.

Don't know much about Damsgaard but I personally would prefer a higher profile player for the AM position. Not to mention, the AM in Pioli's system has to act like a third mid when we don't have the ball. This is why I though De Paul would have been a great option, but alas. We're also being linked with Marcel Sabitzer. Now he'd be the perfect profile for that position. He's a really aggressive player that can practically play any position in midfield, has great vision and shooting ability. He's on his last year of contract so he won't cost as much


But as expected we're being linked to every attacking mid under the sun

For me, from all the players we're linked with, some are great some are simply not acceptable if we want to stay in the CL spots

Acceptable (I'd actually want both):
Ziyech
Sabitzer

Unacceptable:
Ceballos
James
Zaccagni
Ilicic

No opinion as I haven't seen much of them:
Damsgaard
Lovro Majer (do you know anything about him Fillipo?)

@FabrizioRomano: #ACMilan will announce re-signing of Brahim Diaz 'in the coming days' - two full-backs eyed


Great that he's staying. Aside from having the talent and the x-factor, he's shown real enthusiasm in his time at Milan. Someone who is clearly grateful and ready to work hard for the team. His celebrations at the end of that Atalanta game were all you needed to see imo to know how well he's integrated into the group.

Hopefully the 20m buyout is included

Damsgaard is a winger, not an AM.

Lovro Majer has great potential but he wouldn't be a immediat fix for our problem. Why would Ceballos and James be unacceptable? I'm lagging behind with EPL but aren't they both coming off a very good season?

Also, why do you have the constant need of explaining and (to an extent) justifying Hakan? Now it's Ibra who should/could be at fault here? No. Hakan has weak character. He showed that numerous times by now with HSV, Lever, Milan and Turkey. He's a problematic type of player but not like Ibra extroverted but introverted.

And another thing... Caldara is completely broken and unreliable. The ONLY logical solution is to get rid of him and not cling on him so that when another crisis arises he can bomb in and get injured after one or two veteran-style games. Honestly... And Kalulu and Gabbia have to stay. We need a bigger roster and you can't expect us to have 4th and 5th or 3rd options that are something other then green youngsters.

Haven't seen this Sabitzer guy, will make sure to check him out vs Italy. But from some YT clips he reminds a bit of De Paul, i.e. aggressive, hard-working, good technique and vision.

Speaking of De Paul, Udinese's SD said negotiations with Atletico are going on, but there's considerable difference between request and demand, and that there are other clubs out there interested in the player. An opening? I think he's just putting pressure on Atletico. But strange considering everyone had given the deal for sealed.



Totally agreed. I have my doubts about him being suited for Serie A, but his passion and enthusiasm for our shirt have won me over.



Ceballos comes from two disappointing seasons at Arsenal. After a two-year loan they're going to send him back to Madrid. He wasn't even picked for the Euros.

James is just... James, man. When has he ever been good? A one-hit wonder at that 2014 World Cup, then he's been a regular bench warmer, at Madrid and at Bayern. Now at 30 years old he's washed up, definitely not the kind of profile we need to go after.

I read somewhere that he can play AM as well

I'm not justifying Hakan. I might have not added the part about his fragile ego and just thought about it in my head. But it was obvious that there was some saltiness there after Zlatan dragged him multiple times during games. Hakan is a fragile player no doubt. That's why I mentioned that something must have happened for him to go to Inter for a meagre amount. It's not a justification but a comment on his questionable character

Like I said a million times. I would have preferred if we had managed to keep him because this has caused extra problems for us. Obviously, I want a better starting AM and would have been fine had we sold him for actual money. But for this season, I would have preferred to have the management concentrate on a RW. Now any potential budget has to be split.

Re Ceballos. Absolutely awful at Arsenal. He could still do well in Serie A, players like him tend to not really adapt well to the EPL. But as a profile, he's absolutely not what we need. He's not an AM and he's not someone who can rotate with Kessie/Bennacer either. We don't have any use for him

Same argument goes for James, he's not been that great at Everton either save for the first 2 months or so. He's been injury prone as well, not to mention, he's not the right profile for our AM role. Like I said, our attacking mid has to be someone who can drop into midfield, and while James is classified as an AM, he veers more towards CF rather than midfielder imo

That's why Sabitzer would be perfect for us imo


Oh, yes, although I think De Paul is a bit more technical while Sabitzer a more powerful player

Romano reiterated that it's done. I don't see us coming anywhere close to matching their offer.

I think Diaz is a gem. I don't think style matters, he has all the skill in the world. He just needs to add more end product to his game because if he can do that he'd be lethal with his pace, balance and dribbling. I think if he played more regularly he'd evolve a lot.

Ag.#Bakayoko ?We will do everything possible to bring it to the #Milan ,#Maldini knows him well "

What do you guys think of Baka returning?

I actually think it would be perfect for us and save us a huge headache for when the AFCON starts and we lose Benna and Kessie for nearly a month

Kessie, Bennacer, Bakayoko and Tonali would be a great foursome for that double pivot imo.

Agreed, perfect signing.

Kessie's represetatives met with Milan management to inform/warn them that the asking is 5-6M, and not to waste their time with negotiations. If the asking package is ready, then to call them in to sign, otherwise nothing.

This seems to be bad, not sure how the management will respond.

I think Pedulla reported this. Man's full of sh!t, doesn't know anything about what's going on at any club.

And btw, if this is the case we need to f@ckin' pay the man. He's the only one who deserves what he's asking for from the players that are running down their contracts. We need to lock him down long term. Just give him the 5m and be done with it.

I read somewhere that we're going to offer him what he's asking for. I would normally say 'don't worry', but I said that about Dollarumma and Capanoglu as well, and look how those ended.

Still, I don't think we'll let Kessie go. It's not like he's asking 10M.

Buh, never heard of him. But paying 20M for someone whose contract expires in December is nuts. If this news is reliable at all, that is.

I think Donnarumma's demands were just impossible to meet for us. We went higher than we would have for anyone with him

With Hakan I think they deemed him worth a certain number and did no want to budge from it.

Do I agree with either decision? Not sure. I think the club could have gotten the longer end of the stick had we renewed both and tried to sell next summer. Of course then you have to face the possibility of being unable to sell both and being stuck with hefty wages on the bill...

It's a difficult choice either way for the club.


No way we'd pay anywhere close to that when we can barely pay that kind of money to actual known players who have experience in Europe

I'm really getting sick and tired with all these mercato rumours. It's like we're being linked with every trequartsita and forward under the sun just for the sake of it. Every day I open the news there's a new name being thrown.

I'm not gonna believe anything anymore until things get serious.

I don't think anything significant will get done before the Euros are over

Only PSG and City seems to be moving aggressively this summer, which is no surprise seeing as most clubs don't have any money

The irony of Deschamps leaving Theo back home for bull headed reasons and then ending up playing Rabiot () at LWB/LB and crashing out to Switzerland! Too funny.

Theo must be loving this.

Deschamps is a complete idiot. I loved last night's result. Did you read the comments from Barthez and Vieira a few days ago? How to make a fool of yourself 101.

No. Do you have a link?


Yeah, agreed re Deschamps. How do you have all that talent and world class quality at your disposal and waste it away?

And was totally cheering Switzerland yesterday. I actually switched off when they went 3-0 up and checked the scores again at around 23:30 and was like

Then watched last part of ET

He won the world cup.

By playing defensively and snatching wins. That won't always work. And when you have all that talent it's unforgivable to waste it.

Sure he rides on that goodwill but a really great coach would make the French team a winning machine

ITALY FANS MOCK FRANCE LEGEND VIEIRA AFTER EURO 2020 PREDICTION

Barthez also said something similar.

Ah yes. Saw this. But was thinking more about Gary Neville as he was the bigger numbnut in that conversation.

Sancho to ManUtd for 100M.

PSG give 15M to Ramos, 12M to Dollarumma, 10M to Wijnaldum. 70M for Hakimi.

Then there's the usual Haaland and Mbappe rumours which I don't even wanna think how much whoever gets them will end up paying.

But we have a financial crisis, no? We need the Super League to save football. STFU! Perez and all his f*cking friends. These mofos are destroying football. FFP? Pfffff. Let's just penalise the smaller clubs and create an oligopoly. UEFA are on it as well. Absolutely ridiculous.

Agreed. Shameful indeed.

So, Milan and Wolfsburg are negotiating about Hauge for 15M.

Personally speaking, the kid has shown very little for me to be sad about his departure, but man oh man, the reaction of Milan fans across the various social media I follow is insane. Everyone is angry, saying we shouldn't sell him etc. And I just don't get it. He just doesn't strike me as somebody who will turn out great. Could obviously be wrong, though.

I also don't get why Pioli completely forgot about him in the second part of last season, but that's another matter entirely.

Leao also has a few offers from England. We're not accepting offers below 25M.