The financial reality dictates that AC Milan is no longer a big team or major player in the market, for now, which means that other big clubs can lure away their best players. Right now, it’s Stephan El Shaarawy, causing quite an interest among a few clubs, especially Manchester United and Arsenal.
Even Napoli are thinking about El Shaarawy, considering themselves to be just as good and financially capabale as Milan. The table, with Napoli only 3 points behind Juventus while the Rossoneri will struggle to make it into the Champions League, suggests that to be true.
That’s even before mentioning the true financial powers in Europe today, most of them clubs from the Premier League. Manchester United is the most valuable club in the world; Arsenal turning the biggest profits, although that also means they usually don’t go after the biggest and most expensive stars. Milan are in negotiations to try and purchase Mario Balotelli, but their problems in obtaining both him and Kaka suggest that their money problems are alive and (not) well.
United and Arsenal haven’t made any approach, but have turned their attention towards the 20 year old striker who has broken out this season, coming out of the huge shadow Zlatan Ibrahimovic cast while playing for the 2011 champions. El Shaarawy scored only 2 goals during his first season with the senior team, but mostly came up from the bench a few minutes each time, still showing quite a lot of potential.
This season, as the team’s most important target man, the Italian international (3 caps, 1 goal) is the main reason Milan are still in the hunt for a UCL spot, scoring 15 league goals in 22 matches, leading the Serie A in scoring. Some rumors came up yesterday about Napoli offering £30 million for the player, but it seems they’re busier keeping the vultures away from Edinson Cavani.
Ferguson, despite the “wise buyer” label he has tagged to him has spent quite a lot of money, not always being an outright bingo, through the years. Despite having quite a few capable strikers on his squad, he’s never shy of upgrading the team and letting someone (maybe Danny Welbeck) go if he doesn’t meet the requirements. Arsenal always need help, more than ever this season.
Nothing will happen this January, but if Silvio Berlusconi continues to refrain from injecting large sums of money into his club, the rumors around the talented striker will continue to point towards an exit, heading to a richer league and club.