Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have been two very busy men during the ongoing January Transfer Market. After completing the signings of Soualiho Meïté from Torino, and former Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, while offloading right back Andrea Conti to Parma, the Rossoneri are currently finalizing the transfer of a defender who will bolster their backline. Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori has landed in Milan, and he should complete his medical tests in the upcoming hours.
According to Calciomercato, the Diavolo have already registered the contract of the English international earlier in the day, and passing the medicals would be the final step required before the official announcement of the transfer.
The Canadian born defender arrives on an initial loan deal which will cost the Italian side 1 million euros, with a right to redeem the player on permanent basis for 25 millions by the end of the season.
The Chelsea youth product enjoyed a breakout season in 2019-2020, when Frank Lampard had to rely on up and coming talents – the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount – after being hit with a transfer ban.
However, with the Premier League side back on the market last summer, the arrival of former Milan captain Thiago Silva to West London reduced the role of Tomori within the club, as he only played 44 minutes in the EPL this term.
The 23-year-old is originally a center-back but can also operate at right-back. Although he represented Canada’s U-20 national team, he eventually opted to play for the Three Lions, with his first and so-far only senior cap taking place in November 2019.
Fikayo #Tomori has just arrived in #Milan ??⚫️ (? @86_longo) pic.twitter.com/o1fUB3rlgw
— Francesco Guerrieri (@francGuerrieri) January 22, 2021
Our View
Maldini and Massara should be lauded for taking the initiative during the current January market.
While the Rossoneri have suddenly found themselves as legitimate Scudetto contenders – leading the Serie A standings after 18 rounds – they wouldn’t want to throw away a golden chance for glory due to a thin squad.
Tomori will no doubt offer a decent backup for Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer – and an emergency alternative for Davide Calabria – and perhaps he’ll even challenge for a starting role if he’s able to restart his development as a player.