AC Milan rejected the opportunity to sign Atletico Madrid star defender Jose Gimenez for just one million euros in the summer of 2013.
Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez was offered to AC Milan in the summer of 2013. Rocco Maiorino, former sporting director of the Rossoneri, said no. AC Milan could have signed Gimenez for only 1.5 million euros reveals La Gazzetta dello Sport. Today the 24 year old centre back is worth at least 50 million.
The Uruguayan defender was protagonist in the Champions league victory against Juventus in the first leg. He scored Atletico Madrid’s first goal while a few minutes later captain Diego Godin doubled the lead.
After AC Milan’s refusal, Atletico Madrid decided to buy Gimenez for a fee of around 3 million and today the Spanish club is reaping the results. Now he is worth 20 times as much. A big regret for the former management of the Rossoneri who misjudged the qualities of the youngster, currently one of the best in the world in his position.
Yes, Joe Gimenez is one of the best defenders in the world but still has ample room for improvement. He is 24 years old and his potential is still enormous. Coach Diego Simeone has enhanced his characteristics: great physical strength, an excellent sense of positioning and also a good basic technique. In the national team and also at Atletico Madrid he is the natural heir of Diego Godin who at the end of the season should move to Inter on a free transfer.
Jose Gimenez
For Milan, Gimenez will be remembered as one of the biggest regrets of recent years because at a ridiculously low fee the Rossoneri could have signed one of the stars of European football. If any club would try to sign Joe Gimenez in today’s market they should offer much more than 50 million. It’s now up to Leonardo and Maldini to avoid and not repeat such mistakes in the future.