Nani Is Not the Player for AC Milan to Sign This Summer

AC Milan need a winger, but Nani is not it. 

The 27-year-old, a previous target for Juventus and Inter Milan according to Nick Lustig of the Daily Star, has once again found his name linked with an Italian club, this time the Rossoneri. Milan apparently made an enquiry to Manchester United about the player, but there are still questions over how much United want for him and how much clubs will actually spend for a player on the decline for years.

According to Sportmediaset (h/t Football Italia), the asking price is €14 million. That is far too much for someone who has scored just four goals over the past two seasons at United. 

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

It’s true that Nani has not played all that often—he made just 24 starts in all competitions over that same span—but the Portuguese is just baggage that United would like to unload, and Milan continue to be a destination for those unwanted goods. At a certain point they have to sign players with upside. 

They have taken on too many reclamation projects over the years—Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria, Robinho from Manchester City, the latest Jeremy Menez from Paris Saint-Germain—and Nani is just another one of those looking for a final chance to prove himself. 

Milan have to stop babysitting players, stop trying to rehabilitate, and if they are going to actually spend money—a rare scene these days—there is no point taking a chance on questionable talent. The Rossoneri are much better off spending on players with a good future, like Real Madrid’s Isco or Torino’s Alessio Cerci. Spend big and invest.

Nani was once a fantastic player—he finished with the most assists (14) in the Premier League after the 2010-11 season. There was a time when he looked like the natural heir to Cristiano Ronaldo once he left for Real Madrid. Nani’s pace was arresting, his feet light. He could dash on the right flank and cross the ball on the break. He was a tricky player to track for defenders.

It’s just a question of whether he can still do all these things. Two years on the bench did him no good. Coach Pippo Inzaghi is already spending a lot of time grooming Menez.

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Pippo is expecting a lot from the former PSG player. Putting Menez at the centre of his project, his name used a lot during training.

— AC Milan - NewsFlash (@ACMilanSydney) July 19, 2014"

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Menez is followed closely with special attention by Inzaghi. Giving him guidance, advice and tactical tests, both on the right and left.

— AC Milan - NewsFlash (@ACMilanSydney) July 19, 2014"

It would take more effort and more financial manoeuvring to get Nani into the mix. His wages at United, according to the Daily Star, still stands at £95,000 per week. Milan would not take that on. The promise of first-team action isn’t even sure, given the focus put on Menez.

Nani is too much of a risk. Nani needs Milan more than they need him. Nani simply needs an out from United.

Right now Milan look more stable than they have in years. It looks like they have some kind of plan. They need a winger; what they don't need is another player to reconstruct.