Backheel Breakfast: AC Milan sale could be finalized shortly

It’s been a bad two seasons for AC Milan. In a relatively weak Serie A, they’ve failed to challenge for Champions League spots. The Rossoneri finished eighth last season and are in the same spot this campaign, with virtually no chance of moving up to third before the year ends.

Milan have dug this hole for themselves with awful transfer dealings, and some Chinese investors might help them climb out of it. According to AskaNews, via Football Italia’s translation, Silvio Berlusconi has privately called the rumored sale a done deal. The investors would pay €1 billion for 75 percent of the club, while Barbara Berlusconi would stay on as CEO. Co-CEO Adriano Galliani’s role or lack thereof hasn’t been revealed.

On one hand, this could be the catalyst for some serious change at Milan. But on the other hand, Silvio can’t have been the only problem. Barbara Berlusconi and Galliani share responsibility for the club’s struggles, and new owners might be better off just cleaning house.

There’s also this issue.

AskaNews believes that the Chinese government is playing a large role in the operation, in order to promote football in the country, with the long-term aim of making the national team a major world power.

So it doesn’t sound like the new owners are putting Milan’s success first, plus they’re keeping people who ran the club into the ground around in leadership positions. There’s plenty of reason to be skeptical about things getting better at Milan.

Raheem Sterling doesn’t want to be seen as “a money-grabbing 20-year-old.” (BBC)

Gareth Bale and Pepe are both doubtful for this weekend. (AS)

Arsene Wenger says he might offer Abou Diaby a new contract, because obviously. (Guardian)

Borussia Mönchengladbach will be hanging on to Patrick Hermann for a bit. He’s signed a new four-year deal. (Bundesliga)

”I can imagine playing in America” -Rafael van der Vaart. (ESPN FC)

Manuel Veth on racism in Russian football. (Futbolgrad)

Mark Murphy on Rangers fans’ fight to keep Mike Ashley out. (Two Hundred Percent)

John Brewin on Liverpool needing a tactical change. (ESPN FC)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Pavel Nedved says Barcelona want Paul Pogba, even though they can’t actually register him. (Sky Sports)

Inter Milan are trying to sign Stevan Jovetic from Manchester City. (Daily Mail)

Everyone wants to sign Javier Hernandez from Manchester United. (Mirror)

Watch the highlights of Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores games here. (FootballManiaChannel)

There’s nothing of real interest going on Thursday. Decent club soccer returns on Friday.