Month: June 2016

Adriano Galliani claims Mario Balotelli longer stay at AC Milan

Only a few weeks after Mario Balotelli’s future at AC Milan seemed at an end, chief executive Adriano Galliani claims that the striker may stay at the San Siro after all.

The club are currently in talks with foreign investors with owner Silvio Berlusconi looking for a swift sale. At this point in time, the club do not have much strength in depth in the squad. The presence of a player like Balotellidoes improve the look and feel. Hence, it may make the club saleable before the start of the new season. Balotelli has been a major disappointment in recent years as far as this record is concerned.

The undeniable talent within the Italian international has been able to produce only one goal in the league. He is on loan from Liverpool and Milan seemed to confirm that they would not be interested in making his stay permanent. However, they have made a great U-turn with Galliani now suggesting that a deal may be stuck between the two clubs after all. The new situation may have come about as a result of Liverpool being ready to drop their asking price of the player. Balotelli is likely to find any takers other than Milan, who seem ready to take advantage of the situation and get him on a cheap.

“Mario is desperate to stay here at Milan, But like I have said before, he does not merit a permanent deal at the moment. We will talk about it with Liverpool, and…see what to do. During the summer there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss it with Liverpool,” said Gallaini. After years of non-existent investment in the playing squad, the club are now even struggling to finish in the Europa league places. The club are seventh in the league after only 15 wins so far.

5 transfer targets that would benefit Milan

Whilst the ownership issues rumble on in Milan and Euro 2016 plays out in France, there are still some bargains that the club can look at.

Adriano Galliani will need to be shrewd in this window as they already trail Inter and Juventus on summer signings but that does not mean that they do not have some excellent players on their radar.

  1. Leonardo Pavoletti: The Genoa striker could be one of the more obvious moves for Milan this summer. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia he admitted that a move to the Rossoneri would certainly be welcomed. He said that “I hear and have read about their interest and I am pleased about that. Let’s see what will happen for now I am happy at Genoa.” With 15 goals and three assists it is arguable that he should have been called up by Antonio Conte for the Euro’s in France and at 27 years of age, he could provide support or act as a replacement for Carlos Bacca.
  2. Mateo Kovacic: The Croatian midfielder maybe concentrating on Euro 2016 but this doesn’t mean that the Rossoneri should not act quickly to secure his signature. The attacking midfielder struggled to get enough playing time at Real Madrid and struggled for form at their neighbours Inter before this but he is a talent. Milan could build their team around him and he may then produce the form he often shows for the national team but they will need to move now in case he has an outstanding tournament. Calciomercato.com think this is a move that could go ahead after Adriano Galliani hinted that the move could be imminent.
  3. Markus Henriksen: The Norwegian midfielder has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season and has caught the eye of Milan and Napoli. His representative, Jim Solbakken claimed that there had been contact with AZ Alkmaar and the two clubs and said that the 23-year-olds future could lie with Italy. The problem lies with speed again as he is a hot property and Silvio Berlusconi seems to have put his transfer plans on hold whilst the sale of the club is looked at.
  4. Vincent Janssen: AZ Alkmaar have, according to Sky Sports, already been in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over their talented 21-year-old who has been called the new Ruud Van Nistelrooy. There is no doubt that the Milanese would welcome another young Dutch forward especially as last season he scored 27 goals in 34 games (20 of these came in the second half of the campaign). The forward doesn’t just score goals, his range of passing is excellent and his hold up play has seen him take the eye of the national team.
  5. Franco Vasquez: The 27-year-old support striker was one of the few admirable players for a relegation threatened Palermo this season. The man who, the year before, had formed such a brilliant relationship with Paulo Dybala was perhaps unlucky not to get a move last summer, yet he stayed. Even as the Sicilians battled against the drop he managed to provide eight goals and provide seven assists. It is his creative abilities that have seen some of Europe’s top clubs look to obtain him and Milan would have to act quickly at Tottenham Hotspur are also on his tail. Maurizio Zamparini values him at 25 million Euros but he could be picked up for less.

KOVACIC SHUTS DOWN RUMOURS

AC Milan summer transfer target, Mateo Kovacic shut down rumours linking him to the club as a summer transfer signing.

The Croatia international who just won the UEFA Champions League says he was sorry to leave Italian giants, Inter Milan.

Speaking to Automatenherz, the Real Madrid midfielder said:
“It’s been a difficult season. I was sorry to leave Inter, but Real are a great team. I was very young when I arrived but I’ve picked up a lot of experience. As they say in Germany, spielautomaten – you can’t play without expecting to get some difficulties. I’m fine, I played a lot of games, I expected to have difficulties. Milan? Anything can happen in life, but I’m not thinking about that at the moment. The Euros are coming up and I’ve got five years left on my contract.”

His comments effectively shut down rumours that he was set to move to AC Milan, after a frustrating season at Real Madrid. Kovacic didn’t make it on to the pitch during the Champions League final in Milan.

In fact, he didn’t even make it on to the bench. Despite being signed last summer from FC Inter Milan, at the behest of Rafa Benítez, he may have his days numbered at Real Madrid with current coach Zinedine Zidane in charge.

AC Milan are keen on snapping up the 22-year-old but Kovacic is says he is very keen on fighting for a chance at the Bernabéu. According to several reports, AC Milan are belived to have reached out to Real on the availability of the player for immediate swoop.

The chief executive of Milan Adriano Galliani, was at the Champions League semi-final between Real and Manchester City and even made initial advances to both the player and the board. Kovacic interview means Milan would have to take their search elsewhere.