Good News From Milano

And finally, before the transfer market closes (January 31) AC Milan bought a star. Young, talented and unsettled, Mario Balotelli is coming back home. The transfer saga has been going on since the start of the transfer period. First he was mentioned as a potential new AC Milan player alongside Rossoneri's favourite Ricardo Kaka, but with the fail of Kaka's transfer to Milan, Balotelli was also excluded. But one interview changed it all. Milan's vice president Adriano Galliani was asked what the chances of Milan were for bringing Kaka, Beckham, Drogba and Balotelli. He said: "For Kaka, Beckham and Drogba, there is 101% chance they are not coming, but for Balotelli there is 99.9% that he is not coming". So that 0.01% proved to be a turnout. 

When the negotiations first started, Manchester City wanted £37 million. That was nowhere near what AC Milan were ready to offer. Milan first tried to get Balotelli on a loan, but the Manchester City bosses turned that offer right away. So then Milan offered £20 million. Through the following days, officials from AC Milan flew to Manchester probably every other day to negotiate. Milan stood firm on their offer, but not Manchester City. They lowered the price to £32 million. Then they were asking for £29 million, few days later for £27 million and the final day it was £25 million (including bonuses). Milan never changed their offer of £20 million. The agreement came this morning with a price of £20 million plus £4 million for bonuses. Balotelli will make £4 million per year which makes him the highest paying player on the squad.

Now the attack is consisted of all young players, El Shaarawy, Niang and now Balotelli. I think that AC Milan is doing a good thing with this transfer, making the squad younger which was their goal from two years ago. Balotelli will arrive tomorrow at Milanello and he’ll go through medical procedures. On Thursday he’ll have his first training session with the team and on Friday will be he’s official presentation to the public. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the Milan shirt and hoping he’ll help Milan reach the Champions League this season. Forza Milan and Benvenuto Balotelli!