Why the Bonucci-Higuain-Caldara deal makes sense for Milan and Juventus
Leonardo Bonucci put AC Milan in a difficult position. Only a year had passed since his triumphant arrival from Juventus, and already Bonucci wanted out. He wanted to go back to Turin, where he enjoyed the best years of his career.
His wish was granted, but not to the detriment of his now former club. Somehow, just days into his new job, sporting director Leonardo turned a position of loss into a gain, receiving Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara in return for the disgruntled defender.
Leonardo reportedly insisted that 24-year-old center-back Caldara be included in the transaction. And it was a late-night meeting at Casa Milan - with a single light on as supporters and media circled in the darkness outside - that persuaded Higuain to join.
On the surface, the deal looks lopsided. Losing a promising talent like Caldara hurts. Deeper down, though, there are reasons for both clubs to feel happy. Juventus strengthened their bid for the Champions League, while Milan addressed holes in defense and attack.
Present meets future
Milan will feel especially happy with their side of the bargain. Between Caldara and Higuain, they now have a future international starter and a prolific scorer.
There's lots of excitement over Caldara's impending partnership with Alessio Romagnoli, and rightfully so. They promise to be the center-backs of choice for years to come with Milan and Italy.
As the more conservative of the two defenders, Caldara will allow Romagnoli to push up, play passes, and be aggressive. In other words, Romagnoli, who has excellent technique and spatial awareness, will have opportunities to play like Bonucci.
Caldara will also reunite with former Atalanta teammates Andrea Conti and Franck Kessie. The trio, who helped La Dea qualify for European competition two seasons ago, will form a triangular stronghold on the right side of the lineup.
More importantly, Caldara arrived at no additional cost. Milan essentially swapped an unhappy Bonucci for a pillar of the future. That's a victory that speaks to the negotiating power of Leonardo. Even though Milan couldn't overspend this summer, the Brazilian still met the club's needs in the present and beyond.
The bonus is obviously Higuain. Milan can now rest easy knowing they have a proven striker in their ranks. The Rossoneri haven't had a "bomber" of his caliber and stature since the short-lived days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They could have done far worse: no one has scored more than Higuain's 111 goals in Serie A in the half-decade in which he's played in Italy.
His scoring record bodes well for a team with Milan's shortcomings inside the 18-yard box. Gennaro Gattuso's side ranked third in shots attempted and chances created in Serie A last season, and yet it was a struggle for them to score on a consistent basis. That should change with Higuain leading the line.
The deal, which includes an €18-million loan fee and a €36-million option to buy, makes just as much sense from a financial point of view. It's structured so that the hit is spread out, allowing Milan to stay within UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines. The fact Higuain is pulling in €7.5 million is less of a concern. Formerly Bonucci's annual salary, it's better spent on a striker who can win matches on his own.
Going all-in
Juventus may have gambled - four of their five center-backs are now over 30 years old - but there's no denying they're a better team with Bonucci. He already has an understanding of Juventus' philosophy and a good relationship on and off the pitch with Giorgio Chiellini. A fantastic passer in his own right, Bonucci will relieve Miralem Pjanic of the full play-making burden. His presence will solidify Juventus' spine and make them more dynamic.
In essence, CEO Giuseppe Marotta has replaced Higuain and Caldara with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bonucci. That's a significant upgrade. Marotta is obviously betting big on the here and now, but after so many years of meticulous planning and cautious spending, it's time to live in the present. Juventus have never been in a better position to win the Champions League in the post-Calciopoli era. Bonucci helps that push.
Juventus also managed to shed Higuain's onerous wages. It would've been ridiculous to pay top dollar for a player who no longer fit into the plans. As Milan's interest materialized and Chelsea's began to fade, the decision to send Higuain to the San Siro became an easy one to make.
Juventus will record a profit of nearly €42 million on this year's accounts, according to Calcio e Finanza, helping offset Ronaldo's hefty annual costs. They've achieved all of this while increasing their odds of winning a historic treble.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)