After weeks of negotiations, rumors, and roadblocks, Milan completed a hat trick of signings this weekend. A perfect combination of experience, youth, and continuity will provide depth to a squad that needs to be competitive. After spending for Maignan, Tomori, and Tonali these three signings mark a total of approximately €60 million that Milan have invested this summer. That is an average of €10 million per player, but if you look at the quality and the careful planning to put together a competitive team, this mercato is already better than a hat trick.
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| Experience and the credentials to wear the Milan jersey |
After a long battle to try to get Olivier Giroud on a free transfer from Chelsea, Milan were finally able to break the deadlock with a €1 million transfer fee plus €1 million in potential bonuses. The 34 year old has won the World Cup with France, both the Champions League the Europa with Chelsea, Ligue 1 with Montpelier, and a lot of other individual and team honors. He even won the Puskás award for best goal in 2017. He has taken on the curse of the number 9 jersey without fear, and was a steal for both the transfer fee and wages. He also knows Maignan from the French national team and Tomori from Chelsea, which helps with team chemistry so we are not starting completely from scratch.
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| He's got Theo Hernandez's back |
The 24 year old Fodé Ballo-Touré was brought in as backup to Theo Hernandez. In addition to also speaking French, he is reportedly also very fast and likes to attack. He has chosen the number 5 jersey at Milan. He was signed from Monaco for a reported €4.2 million plus €.5 million in bonuses. He has said that he was surprised that Milan were interested in signing him, let's hope that they saw something in him that he didn't. While Milan had Diogo Dalot last season to play on either side, it seems obvious now that Manchester United are not open to letting us have him back. With plenty of competition for Calabria's backup between Kalulu and Conti, we definitely needed a backup on the left.
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| Also me when I heard he was signing again |
The third deal was also a long negotiation for the return of Brahim Díaz. Real Madrid finally conceded to a loan deal reportedly worth €3.5 million per year with the right to buy for €22 million. They also included a buy back clause for Real Madrid of €27 million at the end of the loan. He reportedly signed yesterday, with everyone crossing all of their t's and dotting all of their i's. He is very talented, and it seemed as though Pioli was grooming him for the trequartista spot for the last several games of the season by shoving Calhanoglu out on the left and letting Brahim do his thing. Rumors are that he may be handed the number 10 shirt, but is it too big for him? I mean both literally and metaphorically? I have always really liked him and hope that he can demonstrate that he is perfect for it.
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| Just another day at the office |
Kind of like the 7-0 thrashing of Torino at the end of the season, Milan are reportedly not done yet. Then there are the heartbreaking rumors of the sales, or possible loans of beloved young players. Pobega impressed on Saturday, but will they actually keep him this time? They told him he would be in the first team last year, and then loaned him out. Caldara and Conti have to be evaluated, with not as much need at those positions. The rumors that the media keep vomiting of selling either or both of Leao or Hauge are just disturbing, it's a shame that we cannot just have an infinite squad. But all of the moves so far have served to only build up more trust in a technical sector that is turning this club around in spite of Gazidis. So for now, let's just enjoy this mercato hat trick.
This post inspired by the music of The Cure's "Three Imaginary Boys" album