Milan Transfer News: Parma, Fiorentina Readying Moves for Riccardo Saponara

The Rossoneri could be poised to lose another youngster, as Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia) is reporting that Parma and Fiorentina have made Riccardo Saponara a January transfer target.

After missing the first nine games of the season, Saponara made his 2014-15 debut in Milan's recent 2-0 defeat to Palermo. Despite the disappointing loss, Saponara was heavily involved in his return to action, registering a shot, a tackle, three dribbles and a third-most 79 touches, per WhoScored.com. 

Inzaghi's decision to include the Italian youngster in the match could signal the desire to keep the 22-year-old at the San Siro, but Parma and Fiorentina are still expected to make offers. 

A few years ago, Milan's front office was vocal in their advocacy of a youth movement, a measure that could pay dividends both financially and on the pitch. Buying established stars doesn't always make sense for the bottom line—finding them a couple years before they fully realize their potential often does, as that difference can equate to millions.

As Milan's financial power wanes, these lower-risk, potentially high-reward deals become increasingly more important. Gone are the days when Silvio Berlusconi can afford to financially compete with Europe's richest clubs for the best young talent around the world. 

Saponara was one of those economical transfers when Milan paid €4.8 million for him in January 2013, at the time Transfermarkt.com placed his value at €7 million. 

Before joining the Rossoneri the following year, Saponara was loaned back to Empoli to finish out the 2012-13 season. In 36 matches that year, Saponara notched 11 goals and 14 assists, ending his Serie B stint as one of the league's best players.   

The 2013-14 season was Saponara's first at the San Siro, and he was set to be the lone trequartista in the squad before Kaka re-signed at the end of the 2013 summer transfer window. 

The Kaka signing, along with Max Allegri's curious propensity to play Valter Birsa, and January 2014 deals for Adel Taarabt and Keisuke Honda, meant that Saponara would see just 218 minutes of pitch time in his first Serie A campaign. 

The lack of playing time has led Saponara's updated Transfermarkt value to drop to €4.5 million, less than what Milan paid for him a year ago. 

Injuries have been partly responsible, but Saponara would likely have struggled to see regular playing time even in a fully-fit season. 

Filippo Inzaghi's 4-3-3 allows for just three midfield spots—none of which are as close to the forwards as Saponara used to play—and Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Andrea Poli and Marco van Ginkel would all be contending for the chance to partner Nigel de Jong and a presumably healthy Riccardo Montolivo. 

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That abundance of central midfielders has also meant limited playing time for Van Ginkel, who could be recalled by Chelsea as Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT) is reporting the Blues are frustrated with the Dutchman's lack of chances. 

Milan's decision to sell highly regarded central midfield prospect Bryan Cristante over the summer could also indicate some perspicacity, as the staff probably knew Cristante would have struggled for playing time in Inzaghi's three-midfielder set. 

Cristante's sale ignited considerable ire among the supporters, and that's not surprising given the contradiction between the board's "youth policy" and their choice to sell their 19-year-old starlet. 

Even though Giacomo Bonaventura probably wouldn't have been signed if not for the €6 million that Benfica paid for Cristante, it was important to retain the youngster. 

Cristante showed his quality when he was picked and looks to have the makings of a proper regista. In a few seasons, Benfica will probably be able to fetch double, or even triple, the amount they paid for Cristante. 

Such is the value in buying and developing young talent. 

If Milan truly does wish to observe their advertised youth policy, they should refrain from selling Saponara. 

Cristante played just four matches in his Milan career and Saponara has, to date, appeared in just eight. That's simply not long enough to definitively judge a footballer's top-flight prospects. 

Yes, the €5 million or so Milan may get for him can be reinvested in an area of more immediate need, but Muntari is 30, Essien is 31 with a ton of miles and Van Ginkel is a loanee. 

Just as Cristante was, Saponara could be a long-term solution, one that represents promise, not the temporary fix that signing veterans provides. 

Still just 22—he'll turn 23 next month—the former Italian youth international can be molded into what Milan want him to be. He's shown well at all previous levels and should be worked into the squad this year to see if he can make the grade. 

Selling Saponara this January would be another rash decision. Without the resources to reload through signing the transfer market's best, Milan must keep hold of and develop their young players if they wish to compete going forward.