AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has been released from hospital after heart surgery and has provided an update on the takeover of the club.
The 79-year-old’s time in hospital put talks on hold, but having now thankfully made a complete recovery, he’s in a position to push on and conclude the deal.
With the Chinese conglomerate ready to take over the reins, Berlusconi has confirmed that the time has come to pass the Rossoneri on, although he has made his demands clear to ensure that the club is in the right hands and will continue to be strengthened moving forward.
“I gave up Milan to a group that can bring them back to prominence in Italy, in Europe and in the world,” he told the media, as reported by Calciomercato.it.
“I demanded that they provide at least €400m to be spent on the market over the next two years. They are an important group, with an involvement of the [Chinese] state.”
Milan have already taken an important step this summer by appointing Vincenzo Montella as their new coach, and now the former Roma and Sampdoria striker will be tasked with strengthening his squad with significant transfer funds.
Gianluca Lapadula has already joined the club from Pescara after topping the goalscoring charts in Serie B last season, and more new faces are expected now that the takeover is complete.
Nevertheless, Milan supporters will await news cautiously as although Montella has his ideas, way of playing and preferred personnel, it remains to be seen whether or not the money is spent wisely on players that can form an important part of the club’s future for years to come.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has been heavily criticised in recent years for his dealings in the transfer market, even if it was on a shoestring budget.
Time will tell if he is the right man to be heading up their recruitment drive, but the takeover and appointment of a bright young manager in Montella are certainly two steps in the right direction for the club.