Tullio Tinti, the agent of defender Mattia Gabbia, spoke about his client’s time at Villarreal so far and a possible return to Milan in January.
The 24-year-old Italian centre back, who is a product of the Rossoneri’s youth system, joined the Spanish club on a loan deal in the summer, giving him the chance to continue his development with regular playing time.
Milan have been struck with an injury crisis this season and have a lack of options in defence, with coach Stefano Pioli adapting full back Theo Hernandez into a more central role. Simon Kjaer, Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu and Marco Pellegrino are all currently out with various physical issues.
Speaking to TMW, Tinti first discussed Gabbia’s spell at Villarreal so far and if he could return to Milan next month.
“He is doing very well at Villarreal, and I think Villarreal are very happy to keep him. Then if the clubs talk to each other and there is this possibility, I’ll talk to the boy. But it is not my intention to disturb him about things that aren’t very clear.”
He touched on the injury crisis plaguing the Rossoneri this season.
“The need is there because there have been many injured players, but maybe they’ll recover. In the summer, the boy wanted to play continuously, and Milan understood and protected him, today this is happening, and we are happy.
“After that, if Milan will truly have need, they’ll tell us and the boy, who has the Milan shirt sewn on him, we will think about it clearly and without personal interest.”
He was asked if the two clubs had been in contact.
“You have to ask the clubs for that, they haven’t contacted me yet.”
The agent also discussed the transfer market interest in Monza talent Andrea Colpani.
“The boy is very calm, he knows how football works. If you do well some will come, but today we are in December. It is his first season as a starter, he is doing very well, and he must continue like this.
“Then at the end of the year, we will see what he has done on the pitch, in the end you can’t sell smoke. The one who determines things is the player who goes on the pitch.”
Tinti commented on the status of another of his clients, Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini.
“A season like the others as a great footballer. I wish there were about twenty Scalvinis in Italy. He is in his third season in Serie A. He is a boy who, due to his age and quality, is being looked at by all the top European clubs.
“There is still a month left until the transfer market, we don’t know what will happen because he is affected by injuries and other factors.
“Scalvini is a player of great substance, he is in all respects a starter for Atalanta and is part of the national team. Everyone is paying attention to him, we will see what happens. He has already shown that he is a potential champion.”
He gave his thoughts on Emil Audero’s time at Inter so far.
“He had already shown himself to be a top-level goalkeeper at Sampdoria and he went to Inter aware of starting from behind. When he was given the opportunity, he was ready.
“I had no doubts because he is an exemplary professional and a good goalkeeper. In a team like Inter you need two starting goalkeepers and therefore he is a starter like Sommer.”
Finally, Tinti confirmed he hadn’t discussed Audero’s buy option with Inter.
“It seems a little premature to me.”