From Leao to Fofana: how much AC Milan have made from sales, case by case

Milan, under the microscope there is also the work of the management on departures. Here is how AC Milan have worked and how much they have brought in

It started with a bang and ended with the bittersweet taste of deadline day. After four years at a distance, Gerry Cardinale took personal charge of Milan's recruitment drive. He worked alongside Bobby Gardiner and Hendrik Almastadt, even if the biggest deals in and out ultimately carry the stamp of super agent Jorge Mendes. The disappointment of the final day came down to a mix of factors: failing to land the two necessary incoming signings and the difficulty in selling, with the Tomori case undermining the credibility of the project. The Englishman had been left out of the squad, Amorim confirmed, hardening the line before then having to backtrack because Milan could not sign a top-level defender on top of Gila.

Mr €38 million

Rafael Leao drove the Rossoneri's summer saga. As early as March, the former Rossoneri No 10 had put himself on the market, but his sale, completed just four days before the final deadline, did not bring the returns Milan had hoped for. AC Milan received just €38 million from Galatasaray, not including bonuses that have yet to be triggered, after asking for €60 million throughout the summer and even seeking help, unsuccessfully, from Jorge Mendes.

3 million from Nkunku

AC Milan's second most lucrative sale of the summer is Christoher Nkunku to Leipzig. The German club have wrapped up the deal with AC Milan on a loan worth around €3 million. The agreement includes a non-mandatory option to buy, which Lipsua could exercise at the end of the season.

€1.5 million from Ricci

Surprisingly, Ricci sits third in this very particular ranking. Five days ago, Como agreed the formula and figures for the midfielder's move with AC Milan to join Fabregas' side. Ricci will join Como on an initial loan worth €1.5 million, with bonuses in the event of qualification for the European cups, and an option to buy set at €22 million.

Zero Europe

On one side, the free transfers with no purchase options of Odogu to Toulouse, Kostic to Sparta Rotterdam and Athekame to Lyon are easy enough to understand, but the same cannot be said for the other departures. Milan did not receive a single cent from the straight loan moves of Fofana to Lyon, Gimenez to Porto with an option to buy, and Kevin Zeroli to Sudtirol.

So despite around 10 outgoing deals, including the termination of Bennacer's contract, Milan have brought in just €42.5 million. That figure also raises questions over the wisdom of adding a new sporting director to the club's organisational structure.