Fassone: ‘One meeting for Bonucci’

By Football Italia staff

Milan CEO Marco Fassone reveals it took “only one meeting” to sign Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus.

The move for the centre-back was the most surprising transfer of the summer, with the Italian international joining for €42m.

“As far as Bonucci is concerned, I have to say it was the Coach [Vincenzo Montella] who inspired us and who believed,” Fassone told Milan TV.

“I have to say in this case it was [sporting director Massimiliano] Mirabelli who was most perplexed - not abut the player, obviously, but about whether this transfer could actually happen.

“There was only one meeting with [Juventus general manager Giuseppe] Marotta. We managed to get our positions very close and then we did it.”

There has been concern over the involvement of hedge fund Elliott Management in the takeover, but Fassone reiterated that there is nothing to worry about.

“Any funding comes with so-called ‘covenants’, or moments during the year where you check if you’re receiving a return on investment.

“If we defaulted, it would mean that Elliott could, if they wanted to, appropriate the shares they’ve pledged in the company.

“I think that’s an extremely hypothetical event though, because the funding will be easily refinanced.

“I have a project ahead which I’d like to pursue at least in the medium term. We’ve got a five year plan - which I might add doesn’t include the stadium, which I’d like to put in there.”

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