Milan president Berlusconi happy with Balotelli rather than 'old' Ibrahimovic
After AC Milan's 3-2 win over Palermo on Saturday, club president Silvio Berlusconi was quizzed about its failed deals in the transfer window.
Geoffrey Kondogbia, who produced a beautiful assist Sunday to set up Mauro Icardi, opted to join local rival Inter Milan instead, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return to the Rossoneri, after leaving three years previously, never materialised.
"It was a wise move not to buy Kondogbia at those figures," Berlusconi told ESPN FC, referring to the €35-million fee. "The starting point for negotiations was half what Inter eventually paid."
The former Italian Prime Minister did seem a little downbeat about the breakdown in talks between PSG and Milan over the former's maverick Swedish forward.
"Ibra wanted to come to us, but PSG wouldn't let him go. He really hoped that he would come to Milan."
He did, however, look for positives in the loan acquisition of Mario Balotelli from Liverpool; another player who returned to the club after a spell elsewhere.
"Oh well, we've got Balotelli now and he's younger. Ibra, like me, is getting old."
Berlusconi was impressed with the aggression in Milan's ranks and the pressing of the opposition. He also reserved special praise for Carlos Bacca, a €30-million buy from Sevilla, and hopes he can form a partnership with a matured Balotelli.
"Carlos Bacca has a great eye for goal, I like him a lot. Balotelli didn't get a pass wrong tonight and God willing he really is a different Balo. He seemed more serious and considerate."
Milan faces a trip to Udinese on Tuesday, who began its Serie A campaign with a 1-0 win at Italian champion Juventus.