Milanista

His opinion is the most common about Tonali, by far. This is true even before he was sold, I have to be honest. Even amongst those who were the most offended at the sale, many concede that they think he's an expendable player that you overpaid for. I do not share this opinion, I think he can be world-class. My opinion is a minority opinion. Also: reports in Italy are particularly firm about the idea that you paid 70m Euros (at minimum) with bonuses to get to 80m, some tout higher numbers, but the consensus is 70m plus easy bonuses to get to 80m. This is true even among the most virulent Inter fan journalists. It seems I have become a punchline here, so I'm not sure if I'll be as active as before, I don't want to be rude in my responses as I am a guest here. I don't take kindly to jabs at Milan, and some of the responses I've read seem mean-spirited... so many of you have been so genuinely warm and nice to me, I'd rather not spoil that by lashing out. I'm Italian and emotional and I'd rather be cordial.

I'm a guest here, I think you're underrating Milan and our prospects for silverware too much. Enjoy Tonali, he's a wonderful player.

Vitiello just confirmed that this deal is advanced, and that Milan want more than 70m. He also says that the salary offer is "more than double" what he currently gets at Milan.

Di Marzio confirmed it, it looks like it's done.

He doesn't want to leave Milan, that much is abundantly clear throughout the reporting. The kid plays with venom, even when he was with Brescia, he always had that extra... bit of being a bastard, in a good way. He's not a dirty player, not at all--but he just... fights. Even if he has a bad game, he's going to cover every blade of grass. But have no illusions that he's leaving Milan because he wants to. It seems (and is being reported now in Italian sources) that it is our CEO Furlani and our owner Cardinale that are pushing him out.

Schira (tier 2-3) has said Newcastle are confident they can close, 70-75m and 7m salary, that's net, so 14m gross.

x

We never sold anyone during that time, that's why we all found it fun.

One of the significant parts of Di Marzio's report is that Pioli, our manager, was not consulted yet. In Italy, the manager seldom gets a say in the transfer market, and Pioli, after Maldini got fired, was publicly given more trust and say in the transfer market. That's just some context, and perhaps hints at Di Marzio's source?

To be fair, this is the Italian reaction to most things.

This is what Di Marzio reported: "At the moment there isn’t any agreement for the sale of Tonali. Milan met the player’s agents today to discuss how to adjust in case the serious interest from Newcastle and Chelsea in the player turn into concrete offers. It was decided that Milan would listen to the offers and only then the different options would be proposed to the player. Pioli has not been informed about a possible departure of Tonali. Tonali asked his entourage to be left calm at this time since he is busy with Euro U-21."

I'm trying not to lash out, it's interesting to see the reactions here, though. I'll try to be as honest as possible: I've never wanted Botman. Tonali is not someone I ever wanted to leave, he's a great player. Comparisons to Aquilani are lazy, he's nothing like him. There are significant factions of Milan fans who actually think anything above 70m is a steal--many of them have been talking about him being overrated (before this transfer) and are celebrating this sale, I am not one of them. I worry about our owners. They really think they have broken the code on transfers through data, and it seems they're going to use us as their grand reveal of their supposed genius. I am skeptical.

x

x

It looks like you're going to get Tonali. I'm quite shocked, not because we sold a player, but because we need Italians, in particular. He is an incredible player. He can be a DM, he can be a box-to-box in the true marauding English style. Maybe not Gerrard exactly, but think young Roy Keane. Our new ownership really does think they are smarter than everyone, and it seems that firing Maldini was truly a sign that they think they are smarter than everyone and are apparently going to go full-force into Moneyball. We haven't sold a player under our previous owners, who are bankrolling our current owners--it seems that our new ownership structure is clearing out everyone who doesn't fit with their project. I realize I'm going to get stick on here, and that's fine, I've tried to be gracious--but it seems our new ownership has very different plans to Maldini. I'm truly in shock. Oh, and just as a note, salaries in Italy are reported in net, not gross. You've just got a hell of a player, our fanbase is quite shocked.