Huntelaar delaying Milan shakeup
According to reports published today in the Italian press, Milan are close to revolutionizing their lineup with a trio of signings. The only stumbling block is the transfer of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
For the past few seasons the Italian giants have focused on a financially responsible approach, and the Rossoneri must now sell players before they can bring in any new additions. Apart from players like Pato, Silva and Ronaldhino – who new coach Massimilano Allegri intends on keeping – the young Dutch international is the only Milan player that is both expendable and capable of commanding a large fee on the open market.
The striker carries a €15m price tag, and has reportedly already received offers from teams like Benfica and Schalke 04. The Dutchman, however, has rejected both offers and intends on staying and proving his worth with Milan.
This is throwing a wrench in Milan’s transfer plans, which include deals for Köln striker Lukas Podolski, Frosinone’s attacking midfielder Eder (who, as Serie B’s top scorer last season, drew comparisons with Kaka) and Tottenham’s 21-year-old Mexican talent Giovani Dos Santos. The sale of Huntelaar, it’s believed, would be enough to fund the transfer of all three players, who would reinforce the area Milan has most struggled with: offensive creativity in the midfield and final third.
However, the team may still have some options should they be unable to unload Huntelaar. The San Siro giants are waiting on the completion of a deal that will bring Ghanaian World Cup star Kevin Prince Boateng on loan from Genoa. Genoa thought they had acquired the player from Portsmouth last week, but the transfer hit a snag when Genoa player Anthony Vanden Borre refused to move to England as part of the transaction. For Milan fans, then, it’s going to be a tense end to the transfer market.
Tags: