Winter Mercato 2014

[ACMILAN1983]

Are you guys on about this book?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carlo-Ancelotti-...+ancelotti

[Arildonardo]

West Bromwich want Matri. Too bad it's only a loan...

http://www.football-italia.net/43677/wes...uest-matri

[nefremo]

http://www.marca.com/2013/11/06/en/footb...70914.html

Are these 2 the same books?

[ElMago99]

http://www.marca.com/2013/11/06/en/footb...70914.html

Are these 2 the same books?

No they're not. Mio Albero natale is my christmas tree

The other is an autobiography. It seems they're surely different.

[nefremo]

Rumors again that Banega has been offered to Milan on dimarzio.com. It says Milan is having doubts because of Banega's behaviors. I don't know why when we've taken chances on guys like Mario and Cassano.

I've explained my stance on Banega. I think he's a brilliant player and the perfect mezzala for this team.
-------deJong---------
Monto---------Banega
----Honda---Kaka----
--------Mario----------
(Insert SES in any of the front 3)

That's a midfield that can compete against anyone in Europe.

Also, it seems like Inter has proposed a Matri-Kuzmanovic swap and Milan has rejected that. Good! I don't want Kuzmanovic...just another average player.

[Jay Crisp]

We turned down I ters swap idea..And are talking about Banega like that because well theyre trying to lower the price.He wont join because hes not free.

[WCmilan]

Banega is a relatively complete midfielder, I'd welcome him with a lot of optimism if we did buy him. I just want competent midfielders, we have a strong attack now and playing with Honda & Kaka upfront provides a lot of creative depth. Now, in the midfield I'm eager for Cristante to start playing somewhat regularly, at the very minimum being subbed in every matchday or every other for a good 20-30 minutes. If we have De Jong,Monty,Banega as our starting three in midfield, and Cristante,Poli and Muntari as subs, that's good enough for me.

On a separate note, Milannews reports that our target Fernando (Brazilian midfielder currently playing for Porto) will renew his contract with Porto in the coming days or weeks. We apparently tried to agree terms with him & his agent so we could get him on a free transfer this summer, but apparently there are other big clubs willing to pay good money for him to purchase him now. Not every quality player running out of contract is like Honda, he's a huge Milan fan and even with offers from Barca he declined to come to us, I doubt Fernando will be a similar case.

Finally, Di Marzio says that Seedorf to Milan is all but official as coach next season, with rumors that Stam might get involved in the club in some way (some reports say assistant coach, others youth scout etc). A positive to this is that Seedorf reportedly personally requested one of either Rafael Toloi or Doria for defensive reinforcement next season, two young and exciting defenders.

[ElMago99]

Banega from what I remember seeing him on Boca Juniors was a defensive-minded midfield. They called him the Gattuso of Boca Juniors.

Here's his Scout Nation Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbnBWhM1aOc

And Transfermarkt says his Contract ends 2015 and his value is around 18 Million Euros.
http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/ver-bane...12249.html

Don't count on him coming. I'd try to push Nocerino/Constant/Matri for Hernanes
OR
Look at Verratti or Jorginho .. now that we lost Nainggolan. The time for deals are over. We need to find a VERY GOOD midfielder and a VERY GOOD Central Defender. Anything less is unacceptable of Management.

[nefremo]

I don't know how much you've seen of Banega but he is nothing like Gattuso. He is also not a defensive minded player either, although many people underrate his defensive abilities as they are quite good. Banega was first a holding midfielder. That's what he was for the u-20 Argentina squad in the World Cup when he first came out on the scene and that's what he was for Boca too. However not a holding mid in the defensive sense but a holding mid in the regista sense. After that he was slowly moved further and further up the field for both Atletico Madrid and Valencia because of his technical ability. He was also playing behind the strikers for Valencia although that's not his strongest position. He is IMO a mezz'ala and a great one at that too...however he can also be a qulity regista too if that's the style that a coach prefers.

In any case...JayCrisp is probably right. We are either trying to lower the price or we are just making excuses. Either way, he is not free and Valencia won't do a loan with an option....so he won't come. It's a shame because in a league flooded with technical players....he is one of the most technical and best ones. When an opportunity like this arises and he is being offered, you have to take it.

[WCmilan]

I remember him playing as a CAM where he did quite well.