Liberali, the Call Falls Short: Como in Pole Position
AC Milan’s last-ditch attempt to keep Mattia Liberali has not had the desired effect. Today, around 1pm, a remote call took place — the player was at a training camp with the Italian national team — between Gerry Cardinale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Liberali himself, and his agents. A final push to convince the 2007-born talent to stay at the club, but signals from his entourage are clear: Como is the most likely destination.
The Ibrahimovic Factor: A Past That Weighs Heavy
At the heart of the failed agreement lies something that goes beyond figures and contracts. Liberali remembers clearly that it was Ibrahimovic himself, alongside Kirski, who pushed for his departure from Milan last season, deeming him not ready for the project. That judgement, delivered to a young player trying to carve out his space, left a mark.
The player expected, under the new management structure, to find a completely renewed environment. Discovering that Ibrahimovic’s influence remains very strong within the club significantly dampened his enthusiasm, despite his genuine admiration for new head coach Rúben Amorim, who has called him multiple times and considers him a central element of his tactical project.
Amorim Pushed Hard, but It Wasn’t Enough
The Portuguese coach put his full personal effort into convincing the player. Amorim showed strong belief in Liberali, calling him repeatedly and guaranteeing him a key role in his plans. But the Ibrahimovic variable outweighed any technical promise.
From the player’s perspective, the comparison between the two proposals is not as straightforward as it might seem: at Cesc Fàbregas’s Como, there is a manager who makes the team play brilliant and attractive football, with a project that targets the Champions League. At Milan, the upcoming competition will be the Europa League. Two different prospects, and the young attacking midfielder weighed them both carefully.
The Structure of the Deal With Como
On the financial side, the operation involves Como paying €6 million to Catanzaro for the player’s registration rights. Milan, even by letting him go, would not be entirely cut out of the deal: the Rossoneri would receive €3 million thanks to a 50% sell-on clause included in Liberali’s original agreement. A clause that underlines how much the club believes in the player’s long-term potential.
The economic terms between Como and the player’s entourage — particularly the commissions side, which is often decisive in deals of this nature — are yet to be finalised. But the direction has been set.
A Missed Opportunity, but Not All Is Lost
AC Milan closes this negotiation window with regret at not being able to offer Liberali the settled environment he was looking for. Yet Amorim’s strong interest remains an important signal of a new Rossoneri philosophy focused on young Italian talent. The club stays alert, the market is long, and surprises can always be just around the corner.
