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AC Milan’s hypothetical owners targeting superstars with hypothetical money
Sino-Europe Sports wants the press to know they’re going after world-class players. They haven’t proven they can do that.
Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Chinese investment group Sino-Europe Sports is expected to complete their purchase of AC Milan on March 3, and they’re lining up some big-name purchases. Milan was linked to Cesc Fàbregas again on Wednesday, and they’d like to sign a superstar forward, too. The names they’re targeting are Alexis Sánchez, Sergio Agüero, and Álvaro Morata.
But there are some problems with these rumors. First, they’re a continuation of Sino-Europe Sports talking a bigger game than they’ve proven they can play. They were caught falsifying letters of support from banks in September and couldn’t complete their purchase of the club in December, claiming it was hard for them to get money out of China.
There’s also the matter of Milan not being a big club that can attract world-class superstars at the moment. They’re historically one of the most successful teams in the world, but they’ve missed Champions League for three consecutive seasons. They’re 10 points out of a qualifying spot right now, and given that their goal differential is plus-7 to Napoli’s plus-33, it seems highly unlikely that they can catch up.
AC Milan’s fans have no reason to believe a revival is coming. They’ve been lied to repeatedly for years.
Goal of the day
Radamel Falcao’s chip for Monaco. (r/soccer)
In the news
After FK Rad fans racially abused Partizan player Everton Luiz over the weekend, their vice president called his show of emotion “fake” and said the fans’ response to being taunted by a foreign player was appropriate. (Mirror)
Leonardo Bonucci has been benched by Juventus after a fight with Max Allegri. (BWRAO)
In slightly surprising news, Barcelona has handed Ivan Rakitic a new contract. (Sport)
In less surprising news, Adam Lallana is getting a new deal from Liverpool. (Guardian)
There’s a story going around that UEFA might not allow RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg to both compete in Champions League. It’s probably not true. (Bild)
Atlético Madrid might not be able to move into their new stadium to start next season. (AS)
You should be reading
Ted Knutson on how we think about set pieces. (Stats Bomb)
Sid Lowe on Steven N’Zonzi’s incredible progression at Sevilla. (Guardian)
Will Magee on soccer’s greatest points-deduction penalties. (Vice)
What happened on Tuesday
What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)
UEFA Europa League: 3 games (12 p.m.) — Champions League gets a nice undercard on Wednesday.
La Liga: Valencia vs. Real Madrid (12:45 p.m.) — Another CL undercard option, this makeup game.
UEFA Champions League: 2 games (2:45 p.m.) — Leicester is really in the knockout stage, and they play on Wednesday.
CONCACAF Champions League: 2 games (from 8 p.m.) — MLS vs. MLS followed by Liga MX vs. Liga MX.
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