Why AC Milan Should Sell Alexandre Pato

It is no secret any longer that Milan is a great club under great financial stress. The club simply cannot afford to spend money on players like it used to. Even last summer when Milan sold their star player Kaka for an exorbitant fee to Real Madrid, the club merely used that money to balance the books. Such is the financial predicament at the Milanello.

Therefore, it appears that come this summer's transfer campaign, Milan will not be making any signings of note. Unless, of course, the club decides to sell off a star player or two and use that money to fund re-investment in a side that drastically needs reinforcement.

But, unlike what the club did with the money received from the sale of Kaka last summer, only if the club actually used the money from the sale of Pato, for example, to re-invest in the side is the idea of selling a star player acceptable.  

Looking closer at Milan’s situation and it appears sensible for a few reasons that the club should at least consider the option of selling one of their star players who will bring in the most money.

Firstly, the Rossoneri simply cannot afford to enter a new campaign next season without making significant changes to personnel.

The squad seriously lacks depth and quality, and relies far too much on players that are far beyond their best years. It is largely an old squad with too many players that clearly lack motivation, hunger, and indeed the ability physically to compete at the top level.

There are players that simply need to go and in their place certain players need to be brought in. But it appears that this will not happen, for the club simply does not have the money. A solution is needed, and perhaps selling Pato is one.

Surely, Pato is a highly talented player with a big future and will undoubtedly become one of the stars of the game in the not too distant future. The young Brazilian has had a great season, his best so far in Milan, having scored more goals than any Milan player.

But Pato is hot property too. Chelsea, a club that have had an interest in him even before Ancelotti's arrival at the bridge, appears keen to sign the Brazilian for an estimated 60 million euro.

If Milan were to sell Pato for such a figure, this would be good business. For despite the progress Pato has made this season, such a fee seems rather excessive for a player who still has a way to go before becoming the finished article.

So while clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City, who have voiced an interest in the player, express the desire to spend ludicrous amounts of money on such player, Milan should take the opportunity, cash in, and spend that money on new, young, and talented players.

Now, selling Pato, Milan's brightest and youngest star, may appear at first glance to be a step in the wrong direction. For Milan should be keeping their brightest young stars and instead should be selling off their older squad members. This leads to the second point.

Selling Pato would not necessarily mean a step backward for Milan. On the contrary, with the significant amount of money provided by the sale of Milan's number seven, Milan will have the means to make a couple if not a few significant purchases. This, of course, on the assumption the club uses this money to finance new purchases.

The sale of Pato would bring in an estimated 60 million Euros and this would be more than enough for Milan to bring in three, maybe four, talented and youthful players. Therefore, this move would not represent a step backwards but rather a step forward. It would mean that Milan could gain three or four more players, both talented and youthful, through the sale of one player, albeit the prodigal Pato.

The last point is that Milan could swiftly counteract the loss of Pato by attempting to sign a player, who would be a great replacement for Pato, and Mario Balotelli is this player.

Like Pato, Balotelli is an extremely talented young player and I would suggest the Palermo-born Italian is even slightly better. In addition, Balotelli is perhaps even more suited to playing the same position Pato currently does in the Milan system.

What is most important to note here is that with the funds provided by the sale of Pato, Milan could make a move for Balotelli as a replacement. One would imagine the Balotelli would be significantly cheaper than Pato and therefore there would still be money left over for Milan to acquire at least another decent young player if not two.

Only the sale of Pato will provide funds sufficient to bank roll a reinforcing of Milan's squad. Since Milan have no option this summer other than to re-invest in the side for next season it appears that selling Pato is the only option for Milan this summer.