Deal for Suso remains possible but unlikely

Over the weekend, a swell of sources began to report that AC Milan winger Suso was Fiorentina’s new top target, with Rocco Commisso insisting on a deal for the Spanish star. Today, though, has seen the inevitable pushback, as outlets like Sempre Milan claim that Rossoneri boss Marco Giampaolo doesn’t want to lose his newly-minted trequartista despite management’s interest in cashing in.

Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáenz de la Torre—let’s stick with Suso—reportedly has a €40 million release clause in his contract, but Daniele Pradè is working lowering that number to €30 million. Given that Milan is already €71 million in the red this summer, the heads at Elliott are thought to be interested in turning a bit more profit to avoid another FFP fiasco (which, yeah, sure, whatever) and are thus willing to sell one of their more impressive performers over the past couple of seasons.

Adding Suso would be a huge coup for Fiorentina. He’d immediately become the second-best attacker on the team, providing the Viola with a 1-2 punch on the wings with Federico Chiesa that would be as good as any in the league. With both players cutting inside onto their stronger foot, they’d also leave lots of space for attacking fullbacks Cristiano Biraghi and Pol Lirola to bomb forward.

The purchase would also serve as Commisso’s warning to Serie A that he’s serious. Adding a 25-year-old who has 20 goals and 24 assists over his past 3 years in the league, making over 30 appearances each season, is a statement. Buying one of Milan’s best talents as he enters his prime is just the sort of intent that Rocco’s promised; paired with the rest of the mercato up to now, this move would make Fiorentina a serious threat to finish in the European places.

For Milan fans, this could prove to be an important indicator of the club’s direction: if Elliott decides to sell a major asset, it’ll be an indication that money matters more than the coach’s opinions. For Viola supporters, though, it would be exactly the opposite. There’s no guarantee that it will happen, but adding the mercurial Spaniard would make this team a lot scarier.