Milan, Mourinho said 'no' to Endrick: the Rossoneri will try again in January, the strategy
Milan, Brazilian talent Endrick will be the top target for the January transfer window: Cardinale is convinced
An fired-up Amorim is getting ready for his first big game as AC Milan manager. His full focus is on Juventus, but the Portuguese coach could not dodge questions about the transfer market in his pre-match press conference. In doing so, he showed the internal unity that looks set to be the foundation of this project: "I speak to Cardinale and Calvelli every day, so it is normal for me to have them here; maybe not for you, but it is for me. I am very satisfied with the transfer market. We have new players who are top-class and who will help us during the season, but also in the future. This is our objective. I also want to spend on how Milan work: everyone has to be aligned on certain players to sign"
Two strikers for the time being
The transfer market gives and the transfer market takes away: AC Milan wrapped up the signing of Goncalo Ramos three days before the start of the summer transfer window. Approval was immediate, spontaneous and unanimous across all parties involved. But the cost of the transfer fee (€70 million guaranteed) denied the club the chance to sign a deputy for the Portuguese striker on a permanent deal. That, along with the firm policy of developing young players, led to Camarda renewing his contract until 30 June 2031, with an option for a further year until 2032. It also led to the decision to promote him as the Portuguese striker’s only alternative. At least until January, when the strategic working group will assess the situation by gathering data from the first four months of the season.
No to Mou
AC Milan had been working for at least a fortnight on a five-star attacking move: the target was Endrick, the Brazilian striker born in 2006 at Real Madrid. Cardinale had spoken directly about it with the Blancos hierarchy before then running into firm resistance from José Mourinho: the former Special One gave a negative opinion on a loan move for the former Palmeiras player. Much to the frustration of AC Milan and Roma.
Cardinale will tell us off again
Endrick has yet to appear in a Real Madrid shirt because he is still dealing with an injury. Quite apart from the physical issue, Milan hope the player will arrive at Milanello in January on loan with an option to buy. A move that will also depend heavily on how and when Mourinho uses the 2006-born player in this first part of the season.
Cardinale, Amorim and the working group will certainly try again regardless. The Brazilian could play both as a centre-forward and as an attacking midfielder behind Goncalo Ramos. Endrick is only the standout example of a precise strategy: targets who previously slipped away will come back into focus because the club believe they have only just begun building a squad capable of winning.
