Sino-Europe is set to take control of Milan on March 3rd. Image: Calciomercato.com
The day is finally here! The Chinese consortium of Sino-Europe Sports is set to close on the purchase of on March 3rd, ending a two-year long saga of speculation and rumors over the club s sale. Silvio Berlusconi will finally relinquish his hold on AC Milan, opening up a variety of different possibilities. Here s what the Chinese can bring to the table.
Money, Money, Money
Money is something Milan has been lacking in recent years, and it may finally change with the Chinese. They have been rumored to be willing to invest over €120 million in the summer s transfer market, sums that can attract world superstars, something that Milan hasn t had since the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva in 2012. Several names have already been attached to the club including , Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, and Cesc Fabregas among others. Milan are in desperate need of some reinforcements, especially in the midfield and defensive areas, and these newly arrived funds could be the perfect solution.
Milan must be careful not to throw this money away like they have done in the past, and it will be up to Mirabelli to make sure the new purchases are wise. Milan fans do not want to see more once-famous players like Robinho; they want to see proven stars who they can rely on in big moments. The money cannot come soon enough for Milan as they have been unable to make any significant acquisitions in the last four years as Berlusconi was unsure of his future with the club. If the Chinese really are real this time, then Milan fans such as myself could be in for a nice surprise.
A New Viewpoint
Milan have been under Berlusconi s reign for some time now, and while they may have had huge success, it was time for a change. Berlusconi s vision of an all-Italian Milan was simply unrealistic in today s game. The Chinese seem much more open, and they are ready to spend the cash needed to secure long-term contracts with some of Milan s biggest players such as , Alessio Romagnoli, Giacomo Bonaventura, and Suso. The new ownership is part of a trend in the footballing world; more and more clubs are being owned by Asians. This is also true in Asia, where Chinese clubs are ready to dole out the cash even for lower-tier players simply to increase the popularity of the sport in China.
Milan need change, and that is what they will get with the Chinese. They seem to be on board with keeping Vincenzo Montella on for another couple of years, finally placing trust in a coach rather than sacking him when times get rough. If the money is there, a revolution could be in store for the Rossoneri.
Something We Can Trust
For too many years now, Milan have been shaky, uncertain of what lay ahead. Now, they have gained a sense of stability. The deal took two years to close, plagued by fake investors and delays, but it will be finalized (don t jinx it!) Milan have struggled, and the ownership has been a major part of that. Funds were shut off for years because of this instability, and Milan slowly collapsed, going from a Champions League winning team to the team we see today. This deal provides something concrete for the players and the fans to hold onto, a sort of new pillar in Rossoneri history.
A New Hope
Milan fans have been disappointed for far too long now, and the Chinese represent a glimmer of hope. We can believe that Milan will rise up to its former glory. While it may be unlikely, it s a start. Milan have been asking for change, and they ve finally got it. This is the start of a new age, the first step in a revolution that will hopefully bring the Rossoneri up to Champions League territory. The players, the fans, everyone can hope for greatness; whether it will happen is a different story.
Welcome to the revolution, Milan! It s been a bumpy ride, but we re finally here. Let s see what the ride holds in store for us.
