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SM Exclusive: Milan hold talks with Atalanta over Scalvini – how the deal could work

Originally posted on SempreMilan | By Oliver Fisher | Last updated 4/9/24

AC Milan are making plans for the summer transfer window and one of their priorities is to sign a centre-back. We can reveal some information regarding a name that has entered the crosshairs.

While there are still a few crucial weeks remaining in the current campaign which will determine how the 2023-24 season is viewed by Milan fans, the management have no choice but to begin planning for the future already.

If you haven’t already, you should check out our latest Substack post which uses concrete facts and figures to determine what the budget should be for the summer mercato, and why it is so fluid.

An area to fix

Milan’s defensive department is the one that has been under the most stress this season, with a number of different injuries plunging Stefano Pioli’s side into an emergency at multiple points.

Simon Kjaer is on an expiring contract and is likely to part ways with the club, while Pierre Kalulu and Malick Thiaw have also attracted interest elsewhere.

So, who will arrive to bolster the rearguard? As we have learned, the Rossoneri are currently studying a swap deal of sorts with Atalanta.

It’s not exactly a secret that Geoffrey Moncada and Antonio D’Ottavio are evaluating several centre-backs ahead of the summer window, and will be keeping their options open.

Some links are more concrete than others, of course, and Alessandro Buongiorno has fallen into the former category as of late. Another name that Milan fans should keep an eye on is Giorgio Scalvini, who is on the radar of all top clubs in Italy.

A shining star

Milan have previously expressed their interest in the 20-year-old and this summer, an attempt could be made given the ‘Charles De Ketelaere’ factor, as we have learned.

The Belgian playmaker has been a huge success for the Bergamo side this summer and his €22m clause is bound to be paid. This is a figure that could rise due to bonuses, which is partly why an alternative solution could emerge.

Indeed, Scalvini could become an important pawn for Atalanta in the De Ketelaere negotiations, knowing that Milan are looking to sign a centre-back.

The Bergamo side also know that Scalvini wants to make the leap to a bigger side and are thus already planning to sign a replacement. The latter is important, as Gian Piero Gasperini has made it clear that a replacement is needed before any departure.

Funnily enough La Dea went for Buongiorno last summer and thus potentially tried to get Scalvini’s heir in before he left, but the Torino man said no.

Initial talks take place

In recent days, as we have learned, Milan held the first contact with Atalanta’s sporting director Tony D’Amico to discuss De Ketelaere’s redemption. Surprisingly, when the Scalvini idea was floated, the La Dea management expressed a willingness to evaluate such an operation.

While these would be separate deals on the balance sheet, Milan’s potential signing of Scalvini would effectively wipe the CDK transfer fee for Atalanta, and for a club that have always been attentive to their balance sheet this should not be underestimated.

Scalvini, given his young age and impressive performances in recent years, has a price tag of around €40-45m and the inclusion of De Ketelare could drop the price tag to €15-20m. These are ball-park figures, of course, but the important thing to know is that Milan are tempted by this solution.

Furthermore, the Rossoneri already have an excellent relationship with Scalvini’s agent Tullio Tinti, who also has Matteo Gabbia as a client. Gabbia returned from his loan at Villarreal in January and has very quickly become a key man.

The only doubt is the centre-back’s position, having mainly played in a three-man backline under Gasperini’s guidance. On the other hand, he’s still very young (and talented) so the feeling is that this wouldn’t be an issue in the long run.

Moncada and D’Ottavio have thus put him high up on their wish list, with a new meeting expected towards the end of the season to further investigate the feasibility.

This article first appeared on SempreMilan and was syndicated with permission.

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