Winter mercato January 2015

[Sheldon]

Also welcome to Sheldon. I assume you mean Milan when talking about a ball playing midfielder, on which I totally agree.

Destro won't solve the problems, but in honesty the club do need a striker. Right now, all they have is Menez, who isn't a natural forward. Pazzini's been very lacking for a long time now and is probably going to leave (note the rumours say the Destro deal is only likely to happen if Pazzini is sold).

In that respect, I really have no issue with the Destro deal.

As with Sheldon, I do agree with you that the club is lacking behind the forward. The problem is in the midfield 3 the only player who is a recognised ball player is Montolivo. If he's not on form, the team falls apart, especially as now the game is less focused on the counterattack when compared to the start of the season.

Thanks! The problem with Destro deal is that the chance we would spend money on a decent MF is close to Zero. I would even bring Matri back, terminate or let all deadwoods' contracts run out and spend all those funds (which are quite something) to bring in quality MFs. But that's just a dream. No way G going to do that

[reza]

Welcome Sheldon.

The sad (or funny?) thing is we are not the only team who are linked with players or positions we don't really need. In that sense Galliani is no worse than many others. Among the names recently mentioned Witsel is one of the best imo and for once it is an useful need too.

[WCmilan]

If we sign Witsel I will be one of the happiest people alive. He's an amazing player, albeit he's come under some criticism for being too selfish and dribbling too much in the midfield, missing good opportunities to make a pass. Anyhow, sounds ironic, a midfielder who's selfish lol, but it's different really. Witsel is a very very entertaining player, he'll dribble like a winger, pass like a center midfielder with the strength of a CB.

It's not IMPOSSIBLE to sign Witsel, given the fact that Essiens wage will be off our list this summer along with hopefully selling Muntari, Saponara is being loaned out/sold and NDJ still hasn't renewed so. Plus, if the deal is as I've read (6 month loan w. option to buy for 17mln euros), then we won't have to pay them (or start paying, because I'd imagine it will be in installments) until the summer when we have these deadwoods expiring.

I don't want to get too excited because we've all been let down too many times recently when it comes to mercatos.. All I'll say is Witsel was a player I was dreaming we'd sign before he went to Zenit for 40+ mln euros. Even Rui Costa said that he will be one of the best midfielders in the world, I'm not so sure how he's doing now though at 25 years old, albeit the competition in Russia isn't quite like the Seria A/Liga/EPL.

[Jay Crisp]

Witsel is just a dream .Belongs in the dream mercato thread.Its no different to any other mercato.Linked to players that would improve the squad a great deal.Players that cost a fair bit of money.But in the end we sign loans freebies and thats it.
Milan are linked to Destro Mario Suarez & Witsel.The figures mentioned combined are €51m.Now thats what Milan have spent the last few years , if anyone wants to buy into these rumours then thats their choice.But every mercato since 2012 has panned out the exact same.

While we're linked to Witsel and Suarez probably 1 of the 2 I say we'll get Thiago Motta.For Destro links I'll stick with Osvaldo theyll both arrive for free.

[ACMILAN1983]

Thanks! The problem with Destro deal is that the chance we would spend money on a decent MF is close to Zero. I would even bring Matri back, terminate or let all deadwoods' contracts run out and spend all those funds (which are quite something) to bring in quality MFs. But that's just a dream. No way G going to do that

It's cool, I look forward to seeing your posts.

Would Matri want to come back? Let's face it, Genoa are doing well and I doubt either the player or club want to part ways. Forcing him probably wouldn't benefit Milan.

I understand the need to buy a midfielder is desperate, but as I posted in response to nefremo (I was rushed in posting that response), investing in one position and not the other is counterproductive. For example, if Menez is injured then this side will struggle, just like how if Montolivo is injured the side struggles. It's just indicative that the club is in a dire situation. In a post a month or two ago, I wrote a post in which I gave my opinion on what was needed this January and came to the conclusion that the club needs one midfielder and one forward as a minimum this winter and they need to be players the club can count on. You rarely, if ever, get that for free.

If you're interested, you can find my post here at the bottom of the page:

http://www.milanmania.com/forum/showthre...59&page=60

The problem is Galliani's an idiot and I don't say this lightly. I genuinely consider him an incompetent liability who is as much to blame for this club being in the state it is, if not moreso, as Silvio Berlusconi. I would love to see how much money has been lost thanks to the decisions of Galliani in the past decade.

Edit: In the post I linked back to I said Menez isn't really a striker. I still feel this is the case, but I will admit my opinion's been changed slightly of late after seeing how he's adapted more to the role.

[Stitch]

Football Italia says we offered 20 millions for Destro ????

If thats true, I have no doubt in my mind Galliani is destroying Milan on purpose.

[Jay Crisp]

Football Italia says we offered 20 millions for Destro ????

If thats true, I have no doubt in my mind Galliani is destroying Milan on purpose.

Sky Italia saying Berlu said yes for a €1m loan €20m buy out option....What if Milan get Destro on loan €1m Witsel on loan...get 3rd qualify for UCL then dont take up the options

[xudong]

When was the last time we actually picked up the option and paid the agreed upon fee?

Tarrabt, no. Rami, no. Aquilani, no. Did we pay the full amount for Poli?

[xudong]

Milan Channel have announced there are some important news on the transfer market, but will reveal it after the game.

what would it be? Destro? Witsel? Shaarawy-Immobile swap? "We are fine as we are"?

[Jay Crisp]

Osvaldo officially on loan.Abate renewal