The Hauge story is strange IMO.

It started like a perfect love story. The kid said he was a Milan fan somewhere, played good against us and got signed for peanuts. A perfect Elliot/Gazidis signing if you ask me.

Now why he disappeared even after the scored important goals like the one against Sampdoria or Napoli is beyond me. I mean why do guys like Samu Castillejo get two or three seasons to prove they're wrong whistle a young a talented guy like Hauge suddenly is crossed off?

With Hauge leaving Milan is sending a very baffling message.

But in all honesty, we have bigger fish to fry. If our management manages to ***** up Kessie's contract the public opinion will turn on them. They were lucky that Donna had this scumbag Raiola around him which made it considerably easier to picture him as Dollarumma, and they also were lucky that Hakan is a basket case. But they won't get away with their stinginess this time around. If the Kessie story drags on, they'll be exposed for what they truly are.

@Pippo, it does seem strange the way the summer window has been till now.

Club covered the GK position without skipping a beat and secured a proven CB.

The incoming players are yet to be disclosed to us, however I firmly believe that the club is in negotiations with respective players to bring in.

Huage being put on the market is only right IMHO, with Diaz and a Samu replacement. Add to that the incoming player replacing Hakan. The spaces will be crowded. This noting that the quality of the incoming players will be of a high level. That is my belief.

There is also Leao being put up for sale, the management seems to be in a direction to put in a competitive squad. Whether that be loan, loan option to buy or an outright purchase.

All in all, I have this feeling the fans will be happy at the end of it.

P.S. The transfer window just opened today and will remain open for two months, hence the action should be escalating from here on in.

There are two scenarios that could unfold:

1) We find an agreement with Kessie and renew his contract, sending a clear message that the Dollarumma and Capanoglu cases were isolated ones having to do with two nutcases, and that we have important ambitions for the future.

2) We keep on dragging the situation, not bulging from our 4M offer and eventually we lose him for free. If this happens, then we will know for a fact that Maldini & co. have nothing to do with it but there's clear indications from Elliott that payslips should remain low no matter what.

If the latter scenario unfolds, then as you said the ownership's true colours will be exposed, i.e. they just want to sell the club to make a profit, which is what I've been saying for some time now.

But isn't it ironic that the clubs making these moves are the ones who "didn't" support the SL? PSG and the English clubs who were the first to back out at the first sign of discontent from their fans. Clubs who never really needed the SL to begin with

PSG didn't join simply because the Qatari state has interests with both UEFA and FIFA. They would have jumped the UEFA ship the second the world cup was over and joined the rest

This was why I was in favour of the SL. Because UEFA are the biggest part of the problem. They have loosened FFP this summer when the only clubs capable of spending are the super rich ones funded by EPL TV money and states. Perez is in a bind as well imo Real are not splashing the cash either and they are the biggest commercial team on this planet. That says it all.

Nothing will change until UEFA actually does something about the likes of PSG and City. Who are above and beyond anything we've seen before. Not even the galactico BS from Real was anywhere near as disgusting as what these nitwits are doing to football now.

Wage caps should be applied and transfer sums need to be muzzled as well. It's just gone above and beyond the ridiculous now.


I think the issue with Hauge is Pioli. I don't think he rates him highly. The club see him making a decent capital return so he'll be sacrificed.


Samu is someone who works hard and that's what Pioli wants from the wingers. Hauge doesn't give you that imo. It's clear that Pioli doesn't think that highly of him

I agree that it's questionable considering Samu has been @ss each time he played this season. But the management is obviously weighing the pros and cons of keeping Hauge and the cons outweigh the pros for them, especially if Pioli is not going to play him this season

What I would ask if we do sell him is that we insert a buyback. We mustn't let this turn into another Locatelli scenario imo


It still does not make any sense to let these players walk for free instead of renewing and then selling. Financially, losing Donna and Hakan has cost us over 70m for sure if not more. So what sense did it make to hold out for approx 5m more for the both of them for another season and trying to find a buyer next summer? Still doesn't make much financial sense to me


I'll come out and say this now. If we can't find an agreement with Kessie by August, we should sell. EPL clubs are interested in him. I'd rather sell him now than lose him for free

Some ESPN journalist said that according to his sources James Rodriguez is very close to joining Milan.

I don't know how to feel about this. If he were a couple of years younger then fine, but he's 30, very injury prone and always been a regular benchwarmer. Would he be an upgrade over Capanoglu? Probably, but I'm still not convinced.

Agreed

The injuries are a huge worry.

The mentioned contract also is worrying. 6m for 3 years?? And we're being stingy with f@cking Kessie of all players?? Makes no sense if these numbers are correct

Not sure what to believe at this moment to be honest. Others just mention Milan probing for James but deny advanced talks.

Milan and Atalanta are in advanced talks for Pobega for 12M.

Another one people are very pissed for at the moment. It's like we're trying to sell all these youngsters so we can only make a profit. Pobega would be a net gain of 12M, Huage if sold for 15M would be a net gain of 11M. That's 23M of profit on the income statement.

Now, Pobega had a decent season with Spezia. He only played 20 games / 1238 minutes in total, but he also scored 6 goals and made 3 assists. People are pissed that we're selling him for just 12M when guys like Scamacca and Damsgaard are being valued at 30-40M. And I get it. But at the same time I think those price tags are a bluff, cos no one would pay that much in reality.

I'm just irked that we're giving away Pobega so easily. The kid is just 22, he has talent. Yet all we care about is making money, so Elliott can have a healthy investment he can then sell to the highest bidder.

Jeremy Doku of Belgium was really good last night! Wouldn't mind him as a forward in Milan

This is similar to the situation with Locatelli though. Even worse actually. Pobega as he is today will never play for us. I personally think we should loan him out again. If nothing else, if he has another good season his value will go up a bit more by next summer.

If we're going to sell him, we should put in a buyback clause that covers us at least until 2023. That's the biggest mistake we made on the Locatelli deal. Not inserting that clause.

But if they do need the cash injection to make moves this summer, then they will have to be sacrificed imo. We need an AM, a RW a backup midfielder and another FB, preferably someone comfortable on either side. Not to mention a striker. Some sacrifices will have to be made to improve this team. Unfortunately they will have to be the players who have some value but are not integral to the team as of this moment


I think I heard the commentators say he's going to Leicester during the game. Not 100% sure I heard right though. EPL clubs will price anyone else out of that right quick anyway for these types of players

Rennes bought him last year for 26M. His price will have gone at least 35-40M by now. Out of our league, as most good players.

What a beautiful gesture from Tonali, he reduced his wages to facilitate the transfer to Milan.

Future Captain in the making.

OH for sure Milan will be out priced, would be great to have him. But definitely out of the club's league.

Then there is the Ajax forward Tadic... His stats reveal great things, would definitely be pleased if Milan signed him

In all honesty, trading our two young players for a 32-year old Tadić is not the right direction IMO.

Tadic would be a new low.

Honestly, don't even want to think about the names we're being linked to right now

I think most outlets or the usual guys like Di Marzio and Romano don't know what's really going on.

We're probably going to try to sell before we buy because at this point it seems like there's no real cashflow for Maldini and Massara to operate with

Isco was linked aswell. Loan option so kind of what we look towards

Doesn't seem right, I know what you mean. Think Tadic would be instead of Giroud. A vice Ibra.

Then there much be other transactions for the attack, in place of both Hauge and Leo... But the names are probably not yet in circulation.


There is a tightness in the budget, as all teams had to forego stadium income, also merchandising was most likely down as well. Milan doesn't compete on the top line with any of the top teams in Europe, hence the sale of players to fund a CL worthy squad is the only means forward.

That being said, I would appreciate if the management do slap on a repurchase agreement for any of our young/promising players that they end up selling.

I have no idea how we're going to fund one top AM, one top RW and one top FW, alongside other minor purchases, if we have no cash and keep pushing only for loan options. It's absurd.

And in all honesty, if we're gonna keep playing 4-2-3-1, I also think we need a top LW. Rebic has been a huge disappointment in the last 6 months. His Euro was also rubbish, probably Croatia's most disappointing player.

We're running a very tight ship right now and I feel like Maldini has his hands tied from above.

According to Sky, Milan are close to finalizing a purchase of Kaio Jorge a forward from Santos for Eur8.5M.

Apparently Milan beat Juve, Napoli and Porto.

This pending official confirmation.

Seems like a good move. If it happens.

And yes, we need someone to rotate with Rebić. Not that we need someone WC like the other positions, that would be unrealistic, but we need someone to be an alternate solution.

Actually, Sky only says we've shown a concrete interest in Kaio Jorge, but there's nothing concrete yet.



Anyway, the Isco rumours are very tempting. His contract expires in 2022, and he's been an outsider to the Madrid project for a couple of years now. Maybe we could get him on sale or something.

It would be a top signing IMO. Unlike Coutinho or James, the guy is not injury prone, and is more congruous to the trequartista position in Pioli's system. If we could sign him and maybe Ziyech on loan, I'd be super happy.

Me too.

Kessie's agent: "Only a coup d'etat can make Kessie part ways with Milan"

Link

Meaning, only if Milan don't offer what we request.

Now, I have a couple of considerations to make. Kessie earns 2.2M, we're offering 4M plus bonuses. That's almost double what he currently earns. The guy however is asking 6M, according to the press. In my opinion, that's rather excessive. You can't jump the gun like this and request triple your salary.

On the other hand, we as a club cannot continue being so cheap when it comes to renewals. It was OK as long as we were navigating into mediocrity and EL waters, but now that we're getting back on track it's time to make a step forward. An important club does not keep salaries to a minimum.

In other news, Tonali should sign tomorrow.

We managed to reduce the total cost of the operation, believe it to not from 35M to 17M + this Olzer kid. Moreover, Tonali has accepted a pay cut from 1,6M to 1,1M.

Bruh, we're such cheapskates I don't know even know anymore.

I think we're trying to build a sustainable model. I like it.

Lorenzo Insigne's situation with Napoli is sensitive, he currently has a Eur4.5M contract expiring in 2022. Napoli offered a reduced salary of Eur3.5M for the extension.

Apparently Milan are offering him Eur4.5M with a transfer fee of Eur20M.

Anyone watched the semifinal? And the whole Euro for what it counts? Still think Belotti is our man?

Forget about that guy...

I have. In all honesty he hasn't played that much. I thought he did fairly well against Austria. Tonight he was poor though, but he wasn't exactly helped much by his teammates.

Anyhow, I understand your doubts towards him.

Great to see Italy reach the final though. I think Spain were the toughest opponent they could face. Pretty confident they can beat both England and Denmark.

Hasn't Isco been very poor for these past 2 years or so though?

He'd be another huge question mark for me. Just like James


I don't think that's what he meant

Coup d'etat for me means another club makes Milan an offer they wouldn't be able to refuse. I don't think the figures are correct either. Kessie is most likely asking for 5 though which we should match. No questions asked


Belotti looks off to me. I was sure about him before these EUROs. Now I'm not so sure


From your mouth to God's ears

Can you imagine the English if they manage to win this thing?

According to Corriere, Milan agreed with player for a January transfer (free)

After renewing Calabria, Milan are ready to sit with Kessie's agent. A Eur6M for 5 year contract is the terms Milan are agreeing to offer.

I don't think we'll go that high. It will probably be 5m and Kessie would most likely be happy with that as well

I really want to see us closing a deal for the AM position ASAP. That's an integral role in Pioli's system, any new AM should at least get some form of pre season under his belt

What about Krunic? 🤣🤭

Uhh, don't remind me.

Gazzetta reported it, though I find it excessive, think the club need to compensate their MVP.

Kessie is the engine and heart in the core of the team. Regardless of how much is on offer, it is a relief Milan have opened communications with his representatives.

In all honesty, rushing this decision in order to get a week or two more is ludicrous.

Don't expect things you already know are unlikely to happen. This will only lead to unnecessary disappointment. We already know that our management moves either super fast in the shadows or super slow. Mostly it's super slow.

In other news I hear Milan signed Ballo-Toure from Monaco. Any information on this guy?

Oh, and I've watched both the Euros and the Copa for some potential Milan players. De Paul played a great final last night, and a overall good tournament. Maybe I'll eat my words after all.

Luis Diaz (LW) has been good all tournament long. Romero has done a fair job, Acuna as well but both still are prone to mistakes. Our past targets like Vina (Uruguay) and Everton (Brazil) seem more then unimpressive. Paqueta showed both sides again but did overall good and makes me wonder if Pioli shouldn't have tried harder.

As for the Euros, Damsgaard might come with a hefty prize but he could be very useful (yet not crucial). Berardi showed his limits and his good sides. Donnarumma - we'll miss sorely.

Never heard of Ballo-Toure before.

Re: Paqueta, I also agree that maybe we jumped the gun with him. Should have been more patient. He could have been the AM we're so desperately searching for now.

The names we're being linked with the most right now are those of Isco, Sabitzer and Ziyech.

Giroud is expected to have his medical tomorrow.

Can't stop thinking what a mistake Mancini made in not picking Calabria instead of Di Lorenzo (as a second choice right back).

Yeah, and it's so sad Calabria missed out such a big experience.

Anyway, ET, no Chiesa. Hopefully Italy can once again prevail.

Man we will miss this flipping keeper...

Great to see Italy win

Donnarumma won Italy the Euros.

Forza Italia!

Wasn't he injured?

Dajeee! I realised I'm a much bigger azzurri fan than I thought. Lots of suffering and lots of joy in the end.

Donnarumma was awarded player of the tournament. The guy really won them this final with those two saves. I thought they were doomed after Jorignho's penalty.

Really great to see a big trophy going back to Italy.

I don't think it was something serious, could have postponed the surgery.

So sad to see Italy win, yet no Milan player in the roster. Can't remember the last time this happened. Maybe in 90' when the reached 3rd place.

And watching Locatelli, Cristante, Donna and even Bonnuci play... makes me regret few of our decisions.

Agreed. But there is a takeaway from this, Donna, Chistante, Locatelli were all Milan youth academy players during the time Berlusconi turned focus on the youth sector. The same keeps churning out talent till date.

Hence it is a good reference to what is to come. As Warren Buffet says "the rear view mirror is always clearer than the windshield", so let's loom ahead

@CMF, totally forgot about the injury