This week, AC Milan made a substantial effort to sign Goncalo Ramos from PSG and have agreed a deal in the region of €75 million.
Yes, you read that right. Milan – yes, Serie A, no money, Milan, no money – have signed a player for more than €50m. That is the same club that did not sanction more than €25 million for signing unless it was a mega rare occasion.
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When the figures started to emerge, it was a statement from the owner. With his popularity not all there, he needed to make a splash in the ocean and it seems that there is still a fair amount left to drop cannonballs into the water.
Ramos, as you may expect, flies into the top spot for the most expensive Rossonero in history, incoming or outgoing. He also becomes the third most expensive signing in Serie A history.
The arrivals
We’ll go through the list in fifth to first order, to look through in terms of value, rather than starting at the top and working down. So, let’s take a look at the now irrelevant number six spot on the list, with the greatest respect!
Andre Silva
Ramos’ arrival in the top five means he replaces another Portuguese striker in Andre Silva. The 21-year-old arrived from Porto in the 2017/18 season for €38m and there was hope surrounding him after 16 goals in 32 Portuguese League games.
With big enough boots to fill, Silva was seen as the man to lead the club forwards as they properly escaped the banter era. However, he only played 42 times for the club, scoring 10 goals in all competitions.
After two loans, he joined Frankfurt for €3m as part of the deal for Ante Rebic.
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta’s story is a really interesting one. He joined in the 2018/19 season from Flamengo for €38.40 million and again, hopes were high for the young Brazilian. However, he only lasted 18 months at the club.
Like Silva, he reached the 40 game mark and was sold shortly after, although not for as substantial of a loss. Thankfully the Rossoneri were able to recoup a decent enough portion of the fee they paid as he headed to France for €23 million.
Rui Costa
The second Portuguese player on the list is Rui Costa. Arriving in the 2001/02 season, Costa joined from Serie A rivals Fiorentina after a fantastic season with La Viola, where he contributed 13 times in 29 Serie A games.
One of the best attacking midfielders in Serie A history, if not European football history, the technician spent five seasons at San Siro, making 192 appearances and contributing to 56 goals directly, with 45 assists.
With the Rossoneri, he won everything: a Scudetto, a Champions League, a UEFA Cup, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. A fantastic signing.
Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci is perhaps one of the strangest transfers in recent history, with him only spending a season at San Siro before his return to Juventus. €42m was paid for the defender, who featured in the FIFA World XI during his spell at the club.
However, he failed to achieve anything of note and the Diavolo made a €7m loss in a season on the Italian central defender.
Rafael Leao
Leao sits at the top of the list and need we say more? Arriving for just under €50m, it seemed difficult to imagine anyone arriving for more than that. Yet, here we are.
Little needs to be said about Leao, really. He has been the face of the project and perhaps the most important transfer in recent Milanese history. The face of the project and the club, Leao has won the Scudetto and the Supercoppa with the Rossoneri and it seems that will be all she writes.
As transfers go, that of Leao is one of the most successful in recent years. A young player who took the project forward and at one point could’ve left for more than €100m. However, he stuck through loyalty.
Now, he seems likely to leave, with Milan expected to make a capital gain on his departure. You’d hope Ramos’ time at the club follows the same path, just with more to show for it. If the new Portuguese man can emulate his compatriot’s journey, though, no one would complain.