Mateo Musacchio Completes Transfer to AC Milan from Villarreal

AC Milan have confirmed the capture of Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio on a four-year deal. 

The transfer was announced by the club's official Twitter account on Tuesday, with the centre-back agreeing terms until 2021:

The 26-year-old departs Villarreal after seven years having established himself as one of the most dependable defenders in La Liga.

As noted in a statement on Milan's official website, the centre-back went on to captain the Spanish outfit and made a total of 249 appearances for the team.

Musacchio has also represented Argentina on six occasions, most recently against Bolivia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

David Amoyal of ESPN FC believes Milan have been smart to make their moves in the transfer window early:

Indeed, Musacchio looks poised to be the first of many players to join the Rossoneri this summer. According to James Horncastle of BT Sport, Atalanta youngster Franck Kessie is set for a medical ahead of a possible switch too.

Musacchio may not be the most glamorous acquisition the club makes this summer, but he may prove to be one of the most vital. 

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The centre-back has been a key cog in a Villarreal team that excelled in defence during 2016-17. Musacchio is a dynamic influence at the back, regularly flinging himself in front of goal-bound efforts and robbing possession from attackers. They are attributes that will improve the Serie A side.

Per sports journalist Matteo Bonetti, manager Vincenzo Montella seems keen to restructure the Milan defence:

While Musacchio boasts the quality needed to make an impact in Italian football, the one big concern surrounding the player is his fitness record.

As noted by Transfermarkt, the defender suffered a broken leg in the 2014-15 term, ruling him out for the vast majority of the campaign. Since then, Musacchio has been plagued by problems, and he started just 23 of the Yellow Submarine's La Liga matches in the season just gone.

That will be the big challenge for Milan, as Musacchio has failed to start 30 league games in a season since he arrived in European football from River Plate in 2010. If they can improve that aspect of his game, the defender has the potential to be one of the signings of the summer.