Genoa President Enrico Preziosi admits that he did “Milan a favour” by allowing Alexander Merkel to return to San Siro.
Genoa President Enrico Preziosi admits that he did “Milan a favour” by allowing Alexander Merkel to return to San Siro.
The 19-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan at San Siro just six months after he left the Diavolo for Marassi.
“I think that Merkel will become a champion,” Preziosi told Radio Mana Mana 24. “If the boy remains humble then he could become a great.
“We did Milan a favour seeing as we have a relationship of collaboration with them and that they do have a few problems in midfield.”
Merkel moved to Genoa in the summer after the Rossoblu bought a 50 per cent share in him. As part of the deal, Milan signed a half share in Stephan El Shaarawy who moved to the Meazza.
Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is without Mathieu Flamini for the next two months, while Alberto Aquilani, Kevin Prince Boateng and Gennaro Gattuso will be sidelined for the next four weeks.
The German Under-20 international has impressed in his 13 League appearances for Genoa so far this term.