Fernando Torres is 100% a Milan player but very soon will become an Atletico man with Cerci coming to Milan.
“AC Milan announces that it has reached an agreement with Chelsea FC to transform the transfer of Fernando Torres to the Rossoneri from a loan to a permanent basis,” a statement on Milan’s website reads this evening (Saturday). “The agreement will be formalized on January 5th, 2015.”
This is just a matter of formality, though, as Milan have reached a deal with Atletico Madrid to send the Spanish striker to the La Liga champions on an 18-month loan swap involving Alessio Cerci, who like Torres, failed to make an impact in his club since moving there in the summer (Milan were interested in him then too).
Torres arrived to Milan in the summer on a two-season loan deal but lost the faith of Filippo Inzaghi with a string of unimpressive performances. Milan didn’t pay Chelsea anything for the loan then and are not believed to be paying any amount for making this move permanent.
“Chelsea Football Club thanks Fernando for his service during the past four seasons and wishes him the very best for the future,” The Blues wrote on their official website.
Milannews.it reported earlier that the salary of Torres (€4m net) will be paid by both Milan and Atletico. It is still unclear whether Milan will pay Cerci’s wages (around €2.5-2.8m) or if it will be split.
Meanwhile, as reported by Sky, Cerci is expected to sign the contract with Milan later tonight or tomorrow. He’s on his way to Madrid now. He will probably undergo the medical tests on January 2nd at Milanello and at La Madonnina. He could have his unofficial debut against Real this Tuesday.
Milan wave goodbye to Torres and hello to Cerci. El Nino will look to put his troubled seasons at Chelsea and Milan behind him and relaunch his career at Atletico, where he became a star.
LOL SLICK. Real slick…
I like this deal, so we can only send him on loan to Atletico. We’ll split Torres’ 4 million salary with Atletico. I hear Cerci’s salary will be split too.
I really do wish the best to Torres… I hope he scores a lot for Atletico.
What we may do in the end is give Torres to Atletico, while Atletico gives us their part of Cerci’s contract. There must be a note made… a Qatari fund owns part of Cerci’s contract, while Atletico controls the rest. But that shouldn’t be an issue.
This is a great christmas gift from uncle Fester!
Cerci could be the missing piece to our attack, as Honda can be ineffective on the right wing. Hopefully a defender, preferabely a fullback will arrive as well, maybe along with a new midfielder in januari.
I`m confident we will be able to succesfully challenge for 3rd place, Forza Milan!
From what ive read, i dont think Milan will split Cerci’s salary with Athletico but either way Milan will still save some money. Cerci will be paid salary higher than what he gets at Athletico (2.2 to 2.6) and thats fair enough considering we getting him on loan and conpetition from Inter. Imagine Athletico didnt want Torres but want to loan out Cerci. It means…. We will still pay 16m before tax for Torres service for 2 years and 10.2m before tax for Cerci. Now Milan save 8m because Athletico are paying half so its a great deal in sense… Read more »
Well said @Jibola. I just hope he hits the ground running as quickly as possible. Am only weary of Menez’s too much hold of the ball atimes whic i think don’t go down well with a player trying to make a run toward goal. All the best to Cerci nontheless. Let the derby begin
Is this deal really happening? I hope it goes through…….. Forza Milan
Yes.
Sky (Italia): Alessio Cerci will complete his MEDICAL on December 30th (Tuesday), and sign his contract for Milan at that date.
i am not a fan of any football philosophy that builds the team around a single player, not now not ever. Menez has a monopoly on the ball, he prefers to do his own thing. how many assists does he have? he is a false nine so he does not have to pass the ball? he holds the ball a tad too much. maybe when Cerci runs down the right with speed will it make people like pazzo to get some quality balls and more goals. how many assists did Cerci have last season =>>> 13 goals(source- wkipedia), 19 assists… Read more »
Not exactly. Menez isn’t the only one making plays. Look at Bonaventura and Honda (earlier on in the season) for that. Menez is also good at holding up the ball for other players.