Yahoo Sports SM: Milan’s altered stance on Tomori and why the Okafor deal really collapsed
The January transfer window is not just about signings for AC Milan but also potential exits, to generate funds and free up spots in the squad.
In this regard, the two names that have been most frequently and concretely linked with possibly leaving Milan are Noah Okafor and Fikayo Tomori. The situations are vastly different, given the former is a reserve forward and the latter is a starting centre-back again.
The stance on Tomori
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are back in for Tomori after Barcelona backtracked on the sale of Ronald Araujo following Inigo Martinez’s injury. The Bianconeri are even apparently offering a loan with obligation to buy and a total deal worth a potential €30m.
However, the arrival of Conceicao seems to have restored Tomori’s place in the hierarchy, given he is now back in a starting role. It is unlikely that the Rossoneri would decide to offload such an important player in a delicate phase of the season, also strengthening a direct rival like they did with Pierre Kalulu.
Therefore, it can almost be categorically ruled out that the Englishman leaves the club before the end of the January window. In the summer six more months will have passed so the scenario could have changed, but for now Juve will have to again look elsewhere to find a central defender.
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The truth on Okafor
Okafor landed back in Italy seeming rather disappointed and a bit puzzled that his move to RB Leipzig had collapsed. Conflicting reports then came out regarding the physical condition of the striker versus whether there was an economic motivation behind the plug being pulled.
As our colleagues at SempreMilan.it confirm, Okafor’s physical condition has been used as a shield. While not optimal, Leipzig used it to try change the formula of the loan to a free one and therefore not the €2-3m initially agreed.
It was a decision taken at the last moment that Milan did not accept, thus recalling the player back to Milano. The absence of an initial fee would have effectively made Okafor’s exit only temporary because the Bundesliga side would no longer have had any incentive to consider a buy-out for above €20m.
This attempt to move the goalposts at the last minute did not go down well with Milan who are now no longer on good terms with the German side. The Milan management are moving together with Okafor’s agents in search of a new destination, and on a permanent basis.
