Former AC Milan sporting director Leonardo had agreed the signing of three other players before he left to join PSG.
TRANSFER NEWS MILAN – For the third time in his career, Leonardo said farewell to AC Milan. It had already happened as a footballer, when in 2001 he left to return at Sao Paulo. Then as a coach in 2010, rejected by Silvio Berlusconi despite a good third place in the league. Finally, as sporting director after continuous disagreements with CEO Ivan Gazidis.
The technical-sporting project of AC Milan passed into other hands, with Paolo Maldini promoted as technical director of the club and the main person to decide the movements on the transfer market. Zvonimir Boban returned at the Rossoneri as Chief football Officer while Frederic Massara became sporting director of the club. Leonardo returned to PSG to take back his role as sporting director but before he left, in the last few months, the Brazilian had worked hard for the summer transfer market.
After spending 70 million euros for Lucas Paqueta and Krzysztof Piatek last January, Leonardo had practically closed three other signings. According to Calciomercato, Leo was very active on the Brazilian market and had agreed the signing of Everton Soares. The Brazilian left winger was a top target of AC Milan (some reports say he still is), the parties had agreed personal terms and Milan had a deal in principle with Gremio for €35-40 million. With Leo’s departure, and the arrival of Marco Giampaolo on the bench, AC Milan decided to pull the plug on Everton signing.
Milan also had a gentleman agreement with Barcelona for another Brazilian winger, Malcom. It was a very difficult first year for Malcom in Spain, he failed to establish himself as a regular starter and wanted more play time elsewhere. AC Milan had agreed to loan Malcom from Barcelona with the right, or obligation, to make his transfer permanent at the end of the season. He surprisingly transferred to Zenit St. Petersburg for 40 million but a hip injury has disrupted his season limiting Malcom to just two apearances.
In his last days at Milanello, Leonardo was also working to find a replacement for Bakayoko. The French midfielder returned to Chelsea (now at Monaco) after the Rossoneri refused to pay 35 million euros for his services.
Leonardo had agreed to sign Stefano Sensi from Sassuolo. AC Milan should have paid 25 million euros for the Italy international. This was the only operation the new management aimed to close after Leonardo’s departure. However, with Barella’s price tag rising to more than 45 million, Sassuolo decided that Sensi, whom they considered a player of similar value, was worth at least 30 million. At that point Milan abandoned the pursuit and Sensi joined Inter just like Barella. What a mistake.
