AC Milan: Contract Updates and Transfer Talk
With the title wrapped up and the trophy lifted, Milan can now look towards the future.
The 2010-11 season has just ended, but work for 2011-12 has already begun. Several players contracts have been discussed and signed; some have announced they will not return, and some have yet to determine their futures.
Meanwhile, Milan staff are working on big-name transfers to bring to the club for its title defense and for a run at European glory.
So, what is going on at the Milanello? Here are a few things that have been done for next season and some updates on transfer rumors.
Old Heroes Are Back for One More Go-Around
1 of 11
Club captain Massimo Ambrosini headlines the list of players who have signed one-year extensions with the Rossoneri through June 2012.
Clarence Seedorf, Flavio Roma, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Mark Van Bommel are among the other players to re-sign with the club for the title retaining season. Of these, it is likely that Mark Van Bommel, truly the most important midfielder in the second-half of the season, will be a regular starter for Allegri.
Seedorf signs amid speculation that he would be moving to Corinthians this summer. The Dutchman may have more than a year left in him, but it is unclear whether he will be with Milan for more than this next season or not.
Nesta is definitely in his last year. He has hinted at retirement after this coming season on numerous occasions.
Philippe Mexes has been signed as a replacement with other center backs Mario Yepes, Daniele Bonera and Oguchi Onyewu, along with several Primavera backs working to make an impression as well.
Gattuso announced on June 7th that he would be turning down a huge offer from Anzhi in Russia to play one more year with AC Milan. Gattuso was regularly the captain when Ambrosini was injured long-term this season.
Thiago Silva in for the Long Haul
2 of 11
Brazilian center back Thiago Silva's second season at Milan was even better than his first!
Despite interest from Real Madrid going into last season, the 26-year-old chose to stay at the San Siro and was sublime, hanging right up there with the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Gerard Pique as one of the best backs in the world.
Milan's sublime defense, anchored by the club's true leader out on the pitch, gave up only 24 goals in 38 games. Silva started all 39 matches he played in, 33 of which were Serie A matches, and was only subbed-off twice.
The superstar has committed his career to Milan for the next five seasons. Silva is now with the club until June 30, 2016.
I really believe that Silva is going to be captain of this team very soon. I know the whole seniority thing, but Silva has proven to be the leader of this team. His spirit and drive on the pitch is a rallying cry for his teammates and he is always involved at the most important times, usually getting the job done.
Believe me when I say that one day soon Milan's best player will be its captain.
Ibrahimovic To Stay
3 of 11
Milan's marquee acquisition of last season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has declared that his move is permanent and that Milan is once again his home.
The Rossoneri acquired Ibrahimovic on loan from Barcelona with four days left in the transfer window last summer. He tallied 14 league goals and was instrumental in Milan's title winning effort.
Though his attitude was the target of scrutiny late in the season, Ibracadabra had great goals at opportune moments throughout the year—with none arguably more satisfying than the penalty he scored in the fourth-minute of last November's 1-0 win over his former club, Inter Milan.
His performance this season has convinced Milan to buy his contract from the European champions and he'll remain at Milan. The 29-year-old Swede has said that he wants to stay at Milan for the next three years and expects to retire with the Rossoneri one day.
Milan's attack, which they are looking to bolster even more with Robinho, Pato, Inzaghi and possibly Cassano staying on, is going to be dangerous for a long time to come!
Milan Retains Boateng and Amelia After Loans from Genoa
4 of 11
Ghanaian madman Kevin-Prince Boateng and Italian World Cup champion Marco Amelia will both be remaining at the San Siro after being with the club on loan this season; both players were attained from Genoa.
Boateng was a vital piece of the midfield this year (playing regularly as an attacking mid) and could end up in said position next season if Milan fails to attain Ganso, or Antonio Cassano cannot mold into the role.
One thing is certain, the World Cup hero for Ghana is a big part of Milan's system and will be for a long time. Only 24, KPB has an incredible future with the Rossoneri.
Amelia stepped-up big time this season when Abbiati was hurt. Unfortunately, he was thrown into the fire early in the match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and gave up two unstoppable goals in a 2-0 loss and people began to criticize him.
In truth, he is a very strong No. 2 keeper for Allegri's men; his stay prevents the need to go after a goalkeeper and opens up money for more pressing needs.
Milan Adds Phillipe Mexes and Taye Taiwo to Defense on Free Transfers
5 of 11
Milan has revamped their lineup and made off like bandits in the night in the process.
Roma defender Phillipe Mexes made it clear in April that he planned on leaving the Giallorossi at the end of his contract in June, and would be joining Milan this summer. The 29-year-old Frenchman has played his final game for Roma.
Goodbye to a Legend: Pirlo Leaves and Joins Juventus
6 of 11
For the better part of the past decade, Andrea Pirlo has been considered one of the very best play-makers in the world.
The Italian midfielder was a big part of two Champions League titles and two Scudettos for Milan, and a World Cup triumph for Italy.
After 10 wonderful years at Milan, the time was right for Pirlo to bid farewell to the team he will always be remembered for his time with.
With his contract expiring at the San Siro, the 31-year-old Pirlo will now be taking his services northwest to Turin where he joins a top rival of Milan—Juventus.
The Bianconeri were desperate for a player like Pirlo to revamp the midfield and put them back in contention for the Scudetto and a spot in the Champions League; both have eluded the all-time Italian champions for some time.
Pirlo will be remembered for his ability to make others better and to set them up for fantastic goals. In the past two seasons, he has been surprising us all with a rare goal or two over the season, all of which were fantastic, long-range lasers.
He will certainly be missed, no doubt about it, but we all enjoyed our time watching Andrea Pirlo grace the field for Milan. He has done everything he can at Milan and it simply was not in the books to renew his contract.
Searching for a Midfielder: Too Many Names, Who Is the Favorite?
7 of 11
The search for a midfielder continues for Milan.
It looks like Boateng will be playing the right midfielder position with either of the Antonio Cassano, Robinho and Clarence Seedorf threesome (or a rotation of them) playing the attacking mid role.
With Mark van Bommel playing in holding midfield, all that is left to create the ultimate midfield machine—arguably second-best to Barcelona—is a world class or very talented left midfielder.
Many names have been thrown around.
The stretches appear to be Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger; both would be very expensive. If Milan were to go after Fabregas, they would also risk losing 19-year-old Alexander Merkel, who is proving to be a midfielder Milan could rely on in the future, even this season.
Schweinsteiger, in the prime of his career, would most likely be between $40 million and $50 million.
The third star name to be tossed into the equation is Gareth Bale. The 21-year-old Welshman is a menace down the left flank and was especially commended this season for dominating Maicon (one of the best right backs in the world) in Tottenham's win over Inter Milan in the Champions League Group Stage.
Bale would be a great pickup for Milan if they could get the price right.
Ganso is another big name. The Santos midfielder apparently wants the Rossoneri to take him from Brazil and, according to Thiago Silva ( who claimed this of his friend back home), it is now-or-never-time for Milan to act.
However, Santos, having rode the success of Ganso and Neymar to the upcoming Copa Libertadores Final in South America's premier club competition, is unwilling to sell either of their young superstars.
Several other names have been tossed around; however, the only one with any solid follow through is Alex Witsel. The 22-year-old Belgian could be on his way to Milan within days, as they are reportedly ready to negotiate with Standard Liege for his services.
Milan officials were in the stands as Witsel struggled against Turkey, though one game is not enough to assess a player on—especially with the Belgians playing a superior opponent like Guus Hiddink's Turkey squad.
Witsel has been a big player for Standard and, by the looks of it, it is only a matter of time before he completes a move to Milan. A move would also reunite him with former teammate, now Milan defender and American international, Oguchi Onyewu.
Could the Offense Really Get Better? Drogba, Higuain and Klose Among Targets
8 of 11
Milan's offense was fantastic in Serie A in the 2010-11 campaign, though it was a bit reserved on the European front.
Milan netted 65 times in league play, four behind Inter Milan in the race for most goals. With Ibrahimovic often hurt or suspended and Pato's long term injuries, it was hard to find the same front two back-to-back matches.
Pippo Inzaghi was out most of the season with a knee injury and at 37 (38 when next season starts) he is at the end; no one knows if he will be the same after the injury.
Robinho was most consistent for Milan and, at 26, seems to be the healthiest of the attackers.
Robinho and soon-to-be-29-year-old Antonio Cassano could be splitting the time at trequartista next year as Milan seems unlikely to sign attacking midfielder Ganso. Whoever is not starting will likely be on the bench (to go in for the other), as Seedorf may be saved for a midfield substitution.
That means Milan needs a striker to bolster the attack. Injuries and the unlikelihood of signing Ganso or a Ganso-like player (Erik Lamela, Kaka, etc.) make this a necessity.
Didier Drogba highlights a very ambitious list of potential fits for a spot on the Milan attack, switching in and out in a rotation with the current bunch. The Ivorian has been linked with a move away from Chelsea before, but with Anelka on the way out (possibly to MLS in the near future) and the hopes of a fearsome Drogba-Fernando Torres front line at Stamford Bridge, this seems a bit unlikely.
32-year-old Miroslav Klose could be the second Bayern Munich player to leave the Allianz for the San Siro in a matter of months, as his name has also come up.
Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, Koln's Lukas Podolski and Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner are among the rumored candidates.
Bendtner is certainly on his way out of the Emirates (announcing so last Thursday) and could be a nice backup for Milan—though he struggled in the Premier League. He has scored 22 times for Arsenal since 2005, but failed to break into the team with Thierry Henry, Robbie van Persie and Andriy Arshavin making it very difficult.
Klose could be a good short-term addition; he is leaving Bayern Munich to sign with another team. Milan has been linked with him in the past, but Everton, Trabzonspor, Valencia and Serie A enemy Lazio are the most recently linked with the German. Milan should try throwing its name into that hat again.
Whoever arrives, a forward is necessary.
Paloschi Returns as Milan Ends Co-Ownership
9 of 11
In 2008, Paloschi, only a teenager, scored 19 seconds in to his debut with AC Milan in Serie A after coming on as a sub for Serginho—a record for a Serie A player.
While performing well in his limited appearances, Ronaldinho's arrival meant limited possibilities for the Italian. He went into a co-ownership which saw half of his contract sent to Parma, where he stayed from the beginning of the 2008-09 season through the first-half of last season.
In January, his Parma half of the co-ownership was sent to Genoa in a deal which saw Raffaele Pallodino heading to Parma from Genoa.
Now, Milan sees it fit to bring Paloschi back entirely.
The 21-year-old had 18 goals since leaving Milan, which has earned him a spot on the Italian national team for the European Under-21 Championships and the attention of his parent club, which is looking to add to the attack.
Pippo Inzaghi's health is a concern at age 38, and there is concern over regular injuries to Alexandre Pato. While names like Drogba, Higuain and Klose are unlikely to arrive, Paloschi could be an excellent addition to the club.
Oguchi Onyewu Back from Loan, Deserves at Least One Chance
10 of 11
I have to put in a good word for my compatriot Oguchi Onyewu. I do this in no sense of bias.
Onyewu joined Milan from Standard Liege in 2009, making him the first player from the USA to play for the mighty Rossoneri—and making Milan the most famous club an American has played for ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Since his move, he has made one appearance. It came as a sub in the 60th-minute against Zurich in the 1-0 upset loss at the San Siro in the Champions League in September 2009.
Unable to get into Leonardo's good graces, Onyewu faced an even worse setback when he suffered a severe injury in October while playing in the US' final World Cup Qualifying match against Costa Rica in his hometown of Washington, D.C.
He came back probably a bit early in 2010.
Onyewu was back on the field on May 23rd for the US in East Hartford, Connecticut as they prepared for the World Cup against the Czech Republic. I watched horrified from the stands, as Onyewu was much to blame for a couple of the goals in the American reserves' 4-2 loss to the Czechs.
He struggled in South Africa as well, but Bob Bradley was insistent on Gooch playing.
I think this really affected Onyewu. He was unable to make the first team at all in late 2010 for Milan, while Silva and Nesta were dominating and Mario Yepes was playing phenomenally when called off the bench.
Onyewu was loaned to FC Twente and played well in 14 matches in the Netherlands, but was sent back to Milan after the season.
This year could be Onyewu's chance to make his way onto the team as a sub.
He played well against Spain on Saturday for the USA; we will get to see more of him in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting on Tuesday.
If he plays well, I think Massimiliano Allegri needs to really give him a good look in the preseason before making any decisions—even just give him a shot before a Champions League game.
Bench Mexes or Silva for rest, and give Onyewu a chance to play against a weaker opponent. His game is built well for Italy and he could do very well.
If the club does not find a use for him, they should consider using him as a way to get money and selling him.
Jeremy Menez to Milan? Not Yet, Says His Brother
11 of 11
Recent reports from Italy indicate that Milan reached personal terms with Roma midfielder and French international, Jeremy Menez.
The possibility of the 24-year-old joining his Roma teammate and compatriot, Mexes, seems to have been squandered after these reports, with his agent/brother denying that any agreement had been reached.
Menez was called up to the French national team for the team that faced Belarus in Euro 2012, qualifying before two friendlies. He did not dress in the 1-1 draw on June 3rd.
