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AC Milan General Manager Leonardo and the agent of Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, who is the player’s broher, have reportedly ended a four-hour meeting, amid more speculation that a mega-deal between the two Italian giants will be coming to fruition very quickly.
Leonardo met with Higuain brother tonight.
— The AC Milan-Godfather (@ACMilanSydney) July 30, 2018
According to various sources it’s almost a done deal, only the ok from the player needed.
After this Leonardo will proceed with the exchange of Bonucci➡️Caldara.
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There has been speculation regarding the desire of Leonardo Bonucci to go back to Juventus after a single season at the San Siro. There have been rumors going back a few weeks that Bonucci had handed in a transfer request and there has been plenty of rumors swirling ever since.
Heading back to Milan would be Juventus central defender Mattia Caldara, who spent the last two seasons on loan at Atalanta. He’s had a remarkable goal-scoring career at Atalanta, scoring 10 goals in the past two seasons and he also is only 24 years old, meaning that he’s still coming into the prime of his career.
Additionally, a separate deal would result in Milan signing Gonzalo Higuain, either on loan with an obligation to buy, or on a permanent deal for the Argentina international.
Now @DiMarzio confirms that the numbers and formula for Higuain’s move to Milan will be a €20m loan + redemption at €35m. Higuain is very close to joining Milan and the legal team will be tasked with defining the agreement during the day. pic.twitter.com/cSaVRelPjF
— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) July 31, 2018
It is now being reported that Higuain’s personal terms have been met, clearing the way for Higuain’s move to Milan, and that the two clubs have agreed to a loan deal with €20 million up front and an additional €35 million at the end of the season.
This is an expensive deal, especially for a 30 year-old striker. However, Higuain is still one of the best strikers in Serie A, and is only a few years removed from a remarkable record of 36 goals in 34 Serie A appearances for Napoli in the 2015-16 season. It might be an expensive deal, but if Milan want to compete with the big boys in Europe and land a Champions League spot, they’re going to need a serious upgrade to Nikola Kalinic and Andre Silva.
Kalinic and Silva are almost certainly gone, with rumors pointing to deals away from Milan for both of them. Carlos Bacca is on his way out as well, and these deals should pay for most of the fees associated with any deal for Higuain.
So will Higuain line-up for Milan next season? Will Bonucci return with Caldara coming to Milan? Let us know what you think about these potential deals in the comments.