Crisis Milan, Zaniolo can be the reinforcement: the negotiation with Rome

Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara both remained vague, but the (clear) feeling is that between now and January 31, hot days are expected on the market for Milan. Net of the declarations of circumstance which, besides being dutiful, do not represent a real closure to the hypothesis of last-minute reinforcements. The director says: “We will not move from our ideas of recent years. Don’t expect signings like English teams or some Italian teams. We are not the Milan of the 90s that takes already made champions, we need a strategy that has led us to settle the accounts, and we will not deviate from this”. All clear, the philosophy is known, but they are different words compared to the Milan-Turin pre-match two weeks ago: “In the winter transfer market we will do practically nothing”. This time the company policy is emphasized, there is no denial of any operations that may fall within the parameters. The same reasoning can be made for what sporting director Massara had said before the match at the Olimpico: “We don’t have any particular needs, then we’ll see if there will be opportunities between now and the end, even if it will be difficult”.

Opportunity

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The name that has been hovering drastically for a few hours, and which obviously had been the pretext for market questions to the two managers, is that of Zaniolo. And now that Milan have lined up their second fool, within a five-game streak without smiles, the market inevitably acquires primary importance. While on the one hand Pioli will have to restore identity, game and courage to his players, on the other it is legitimate for the club and management to question the opportunity to strengthen immediately in January. Because here it is no longer a question of trying to stay connected to Napoli, who flew away with more than 12, but of defending qualification for the next Champions League tooth and nail. Without enrollment in the most prestigious tournament, then yes, Casa Milan would sink into the darkest drama. A financial drama. Spend now to raise cash at the end of May, one might say with a slogan. That is, to strengthen oneself in order not to run the risk of finding oneself beyond fourth place at the end of the championship.

Opening

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Zaniolo, in this case, would have a high cost to be January, but not a high cost in absolute terms considering the ratio between investment and quality. At least for what Milan intend to spend. That is, no more than 25 million, with the right of redemption linked to qualification in the Champions League. A formula that for RedBird’s parameters – i.e. the same as Elliott had – is already to be considered a great opening for the winter market. Furthermore, Roma do not hear us, neither on the figure nor on the right that they would like to transform into an obligation. However, the risk of finding yourself with the match in hand in June could also lead the Giallorossi club to more lenient advice by the end of the month. In the meantime, Milan will probably try to accelerate also because the arrival of a talent like Zaniolo could have a shock effect. For the group but also in practical terms, up front in those territories on the right where Messias and Saelemaekers perform with mixed success. A portion of the field where it is necessary to raise the level of quality. So much so that Ziyech remained on the Rossoneri radar for a long time, coincidentally now in the sights of Rome itself in the event of a farewell with Zaniolo.