AC Milan has successfully navigated a tense transfer battle to secure the signature of left-back Archie Brown from Belgian club Gent. The Rossoneri finalized a deal reportedly worth between €8 and €9 million for the young defender. Brown is expected to sign a five-year contract with Milan, earning an initial salary of €1.5 million per season, which will see gradual increases.
The Transfer Negotiation
The acquisition comes after Milan outmaneuvered Turkish side Fenerbahce, who were confident they had secured Brown. Fenerbahce had reportedly reached a general agreement with Gent on the transfer fee (also around €8-9 million) and had made arrangements for the player to travel to Istanbul for medical tests. To underscore their belief the deal was done, Fenerbahce went as far as chartering a private aircraft for Brown`s journey yesterday afternoon.
However, the situation took a decisive turn when Brown, rather than heading to Brussels airport to board the waiting Fenerbahce jet, returned to his residence. This move was a clear indicator that the landscape had shifted. Milan`s quick action, spearheaded by CEO Furlani and DS Tare, proved crucial. They had reportedly already secured the player`s personal agreement the previous night through his new agent. Brown informed Gent of his strong preference to join a Serie A club, paving the way for Milan to submit their formal offer.
Despite attempts by Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho to personally convince Brown through multiple calls, the player`s decision remained firm. The appeal of Milan and Serie A evidently proved more compelling than the `Special One`s` persuasive efforts.
Milan and the Two Flights
The situation led to a rather unique scenario at Brussels airport, where both Fenerbahce`s and Milan`s chartered private jets were reportedly waiting for the same player. Brown`s choice dictated which of the two aircraft would ultimately fly without its intended passenger. It is anticipated that Brown will now board the Milan-bound plane, possibly today or tomorrow, contingent on all final details being settled.
Reinforcement for the Defence
This signing is particularly significant for Milan, especially following the recent departure of star left-back Theo Hernandez to Al Hilal in a deal worth €25 million. Prior to Brown`s arrival, the squad`s only other recognized player in that position was the young Bartesaghi. Reports indicate that manager Massimiliano Allegri (Note: This detail appears in the source article, though Allegri is currently Juventus coach. We report it as found in the source`s context.) was in considerable need of a left-back and specifically requires Brown to work on the team`s defensive structure.
With the Brown signing nearing completion (pending medical tests, official registration, and obtaining a residency permit), Milan aims to have him join the squad for their pre-season trip to Singapore, scheduled to depart on Saturday evening. The club continues its work in the transfer market, still seeking a right-back (with Doué and Pubill linked) and exploring options for a new centre-forward.
Pulisic and Other Rumours
While the focus was heavily on the Brown transfer saga, reports from Saudi Arabia circulated regarding potential interest from Al Nassr (Cristiano Ronaldo`s club) in Milan`s American winger, Christian Pulisic. Milan reportedly views Pulisic as a key component of their project and has not received any official offers at this time. However, given the financial power of Saudi clubs, this possibility cannot be entirely dismissed. The search for a striker continues, with Chelsea reportedly unwilling to sell Jackson cheaply, and Vlahovic and Boniface also mentioned as potential targets on Milan`s list.