Milan have reportedly agreed terms to sign Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano.
Reports emerging from Italy suggest that Milan have agreed a three and a half-year deal with Beppe Bozzo, the agent of Italian football's most celebrated pariah--Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano. The 28-year-old has been frozen out of the Sampdoria squad after he unduly disparaged club owner Riccardo Garrone in October. The dispute was apparently over the question of Cassano's attendance at a local awards ceremony.
Such was the acrimony surrounding the incident that Garrone moved to marginalize Cassano from the club. Despite several apologies from Cassano, Garrone remained obstinate, citing the particularly vicious nature of Cassano's tirade as the reason for his intransigence.
Garrone also sought to have Cassano's contract rescinded by seeking recourse to an arbitration panel. However, the panel instead ruled that Sampdoria reintegrate Cassano into the team on February 1st and slash his wages by 50%.
Earlier today it appeared that Garrone was willing to offer the player a way back into the team, but latest reports have revealed that Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has reached an agreement with Bozzo over dinner. The agreement, which would be made official during the January transfer window, would see Cassano earn 3 million euros a year until 2014. Further, Milan will also pay Real Madrid 5 million euros since the Spanish club stipulated such a pay-out in the event that Sampdoria decide to sell their former player.
The deal comes two days after Italian prime-minister and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi barely survived a no-confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Perhaps in the euphoria of recording yet another narrow victory or in the hope of deflecting attention from his precarious political position, Berlusconi has decided to splash the cash once again.
Milan fans had lamented his lack of spending in recent seasons, but after the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and now, most probably, Cassano, the Rossoneri look replete with exciting players.
Cassano does come with strings attached, as his petulance has seen him repeatedly reprimanded over the years. However, many have pointed out that Milan will provide the requisite professional and stable atmosphere in which Cassano can flourish.
Cassano's arrival would probably spell the end of Ronaldinho's stint with Milan. The Brazilian is reportedly keen on a move back to Brazil, with Palmeiras interested in his services.
Such was the acrimony surrounding the incident that Garrone moved to marginalize Cassano from the club. Despite several apologies from Cassano, Garrone remained obstinate, citing the particularly vicious nature of Cassano's tirade as the reason for his intransigence.
Garrone also sought to have Cassano's contract rescinded by seeking recourse to an arbitration panel. However, the panel instead ruled that Sampdoria reintegrate Cassano into the team on February 1st and slash his wages by 50%.
Earlier today it appeared that Garrone was willing to offer the player a way back into the team, but latest reports have revealed that Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has reached an agreement with Bozzo over dinner. The agreement, which would be made official during the January transfer window, would see Cassano earn 3 million euros a year until 2014. Further, Milan will also pay Real Madrid 5 million euros since the Spanish club stipulated such a pay-out in the event that Sampdoria decide to sell their former player.
The deal comes two days after Italian prime-minister and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi barely survived a no-confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Perhaps in the euphoria of recording yet another narrow victory or in the hope of deflecting attention from his precarious political position, Berlusconi has decided to splash the cash once again.
Milan fans had lamented his lack of spending in recent seasons, but after the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and now, most probably, Cassano, the Rossoneri look replete with exciting players.
Cassano does come with strings attached, as his petulance has seen him repeatedly reprimanded over the years. However, many have pointed out that Milan will provide the requisite professional and stable atmosphere in which Cassano can flourish.
Cassano's arrival would probably spell the end of Ronaldinho's stint with Milan. The Brazilian is reportedly keen on a move back to Brazil, with Palmeiras interested in his services.
