Milanese Giants Face Early Setbacks, Need Immediate Action
Archie Brown was set to join AC Milan late one evening but switched to Fenerbahçe overnight, a rapid change illustrating the tough market. This wasn`t a Saudi Arabian bid but a doubling of the offer from Turkey, changing travel plans last-minute to Istanbul, where José Mourinho awaits. Milan isn`t alone in its market difficulties; Inter, while improving squad depth – a weakness last season – cannot rely on the same core group, many of whom are a year older. Calhanoglu`s future is also uncertain. These are challenging times for both Milan and Inter, and for Italian football generally. We are already billions behind the Premier League, lack the rigorous management of German clubs, or the technical planning of Spanish teams. Now, not only Saudi Arabia can offer enormous sums; Turkey has become a rival too. The market has just begun, and major signings may come later, but coaches dislike last-minute deals happening perhaps in late August after the season starts, as it hinders pre-season preparation. The initial signs are not reassuring.
AC Milan
Take AC Milan, for example. The late disappointment with Brown could happen to anyone, but it signifies that available resources make it hard to compete even for lower-profile targets. Negotiations for Jashari are also difficult; Bruges is asking an excessive price. While the player`s will might eventually matter, missing out on the versatile Swiss midfielder, crucial for the future midfield, would be a shame. Currently, Milan prioritizes wingers, but these positions are proving difficult. After selling Theo and missing Brown, news isn`t good for Doué either; Strasbourg, predictably, considers the offer too low. Sales aren`t going well either: Thiaw rejected Como (costing 25 million euros), Musah didn`t move to Napoli (missing more funds). Meanwhile, Reijnders, their best player last season, has left. Milan won`t play in the Champions League, which impacts finances, but they must invest to recover. Ricci and Modric are good signings, but four more names are needed: two wingers, a centre-forward (a complex issue with names like Vlahovic, Boniface, Jackson, perhaps Kean), and a defender. However, even the deal for defender Leoni stalled instantly due to the gap between Milan`s offer and Parma`s demand. Immediate action is required, or they risk a decline.
Inter Milan
On the surface, Inter seems slightly better. At least the bench appears addressed. Last season, Inter fans worried if Dumfries slowed down, Lautaro or Thuram got a cold, or Calhanoglu was sidelined. They`ve brought in winger Luis Henrique (to cover for Dumfries), midfielder Sucic (with potential if he develops), and two forwards, Pio Esposito and Bonny, who should adequately replace Arnautovic, Taremi, and Correa. Add that Zalewski is confirmed (“the real one” from Roma), potentially a starter even with a double attacking midfielder formation. What else? As Gazzetta wrote yesterday, a team that doesn`t win needs changes, but the starting eleven has too many unknowns: defender age, physical condition, and the need to refresh tactical identity to avoid predictability. The gap to Napoli appears wider now, let alone to European rivals. Inter wouldn`t have minded selling Calhanoglu; his public disagreement with Lautaro during the World Cup could have provided an opportunity, but he remains without offers. Will the “old” Calhanoglu return? We hope so, but they must also look elsewhere. The issue isn`t just in midfield, where Mkhitaryan`s age is a question mark. A strong defender is urgently needed, but like Milan, the distance from Parma`s valuation for Leoni is significantly complicating the deal. If reports about the Parma centre-back are true, a sacrifice might be necessary to avoid bitter regret. Finally, the attacking midfielder, a player who could change the system and perhaps philosophy: the Asensio idea lasted only a few days before he, like Brown, became a Fenerbahçe target. Mourinho is currently beating the Milanese clubs 2-0 in the market. And this role, already difficult in today`s football, doesn`t offer many alternatives. Marotta will need to find one of his characteristic inventive solutions.
