EXCLUSIVE ROMANO: the latest on Milan’s new sporting director
RICCARDO BIGON – He won’t talk much, he let’s the facts talk for him. That’s Bigon’s philosophy. While at Napoli (from 2009 to 2015), he made many shrewd moves starting from the acquisitions of Gabbiadini (for 12 million euros) and Koulibaly (for 7 million euros), who Napoli recently decided to keep this summer despite a 50 million euros offer from Chelsea. He then also signed Mertens and Jorginho which both proved to be fantastic additions. His best signing? The signing of Edinson Cavani for 17 million euros as they then sold him for over 62 million euros. He was also the one behind the Higuain signing (even if Benitez pushed for a deal to happen). Bigon was able to create something important in Naples and considering his limited budget, he really succeeded. He did make a few bad moves like the signings of Ruiz, José Sosa and Edu Vargas. He then did have some difficulties in Verona were he could not replace Iturbe. Now currently at Bologna, he was able to sell Diawara at a good price and kept all of his players. He is known to be a great scout as he is supported by Maurizio Micheli. Will he be able to manage a club of Milan’s stature? That’s a good question. Bigon seems to be the most reachable candidate for Fassone and the Chinese.
WALTER SABATINI – He is one of the more fascinating sporting directors out there. From his amazing finds in South America to his famous cigarettes. Some examples: He was the one who brought Pastore to Palermo, Lamela and Marquinhos to Roma and he also signed Kolarov, Lichtsteiner and Pjanic. On the other side of the medal, he lost many bets too: From José Angel to Bojan and Gerson(who Roma are still hoping finally develops). Sabatini’s scouting and credentials aren’t up for discussion, he is one of the best out there. He is a good international negotiator and he knows how to sell his players (Benatia, Osvaldo and Lamela for example). He is currently on the outs with the Roma management but it doesn’t mean he will be easy to get.
ANDREA BERTA – He is mainly known for his amazing work at Atlético Madrid. He has very close connections to player agent Jorge Mendes, who tried to bring him to United once Mourinho signed there. His response was negative as he said he was happy to stay in Madrid. He seems to be a difficult target for Milan but if he is looking for a challenge, then Milan is one big one. He signed Griezmann, Oblak and Gimenez when they weren’t well known. He will be very hard to convince for Milan as he is attached to the Atlético project.
MASSIMILIANO MIRABELLI – For him, Milan could be his big chance. Mirabelli is currently Inter’s head scout and Ausilio’s right hand man. Fassone likes him a lot from his Inter days. He never was a sporting director so there would be a lot of question marks as he could be a high risk high reward type of signing. In his resume, there is a brief experience with Sunderland as well as his long tenure with Inter. Milan are thinking about it, he can be an innovative profile. He knows how to spot rising players very well and is an interesting candidate.
Milan’s list is long but soon we will find out who their new Sporting director will be.
By Fabrizio Romano adapted and translated by Jean-Luca Mascaro (@CalcioNews89)
