In a surprising turn of events on transfer deadline day, AC Milan successfully acquired midfielder Warren Bondo from Monza, despite the latter having previously rejected approaches from other clubs, including Fiorentina. The deal, worth €10 million plus €2 million in bonuses, came to fruition largely due to the emotional ties of Monza CEO Adriano Galliani to his former club, Milan.

Milan’s pursuit of Bondo intensified following Ismael Bennacer’s departure to Marseille. Seeking to bolster their midfield, the Rossoneri turned to the France youth international, offering him a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport reveal that while Monza had earlier rebuffed Fiorentina’s interest in Bondo, Galliani found himself unable to deny Milan’s request. The longtime relationship between Galliani and Milan, where he served as CEO for over three decades, played a crucial role in facilitating the transfer.

The camaraderie between Galliani and current Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani, who often refer to each other as “my predecessor” and “my successor,” further smoothed the negotiation process. This personal connection ultimately led to Galliani’s decision to approve the transfer, despite having turned down previous offers for the promising midfielder.

Bondo’s move to Milan marks a significant addition to their squad, addressing the midfield gap left by Bennacer’s exit. As the young talent prepares to don the Rossoneri colors, fans eagerly anticipate his contributions to the team’s future successes.