Milan President Paolo Scaroni is confident the Rossoneri will make a big signing next summer if they go ahead in the Champions League and finish in the top four this season while Zlatan Ibrahimovic must decide whether he wants to return to the club.
Milan’s shareholders meeting have approved the financial statement for 2022-23, returning to net profit for the first time in 17 years.
Club President Scaroni spoke at a press conference after Monday’s meeting, partially explaining the club’s plans for the future.
“When I arrived in July 2018, there was a storm. Financial results were a disaster and sporting results were mediocre. From there, we started a path that brought us to the Champions League and allowed us to win a Scudetto,” he said as quoted by Gazzetta.
“Today, we celebrate a net profit that, excluding the extraordinary parts, hadn’t been registered since the Nereo Rocco era.
“We have doubled revenues, reaching €400m. We have improved in all sectors and built a competitive team with a bright future. The whole club has proved to be very efficient.”
Scaroni was asked if the recent financial results will help Milan secure a “big” summer signing in 2024.
“I hope so,” he replied.
“You know sporting results influence financial results. If Milan do well in the Champions League and qualify for next season’s Champions League we will be more sustainable with important revenues. At that point, we could look at the market differently.
“If revenues allow us to improve the contractual level and have stronger players with long-term deals, we’ll do it.”
The Rossoneri have confirmed they are working on a project to build a new stadium in the area of San Donato, just outside Milan with Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners already investing €40m. If all goes to plan, the Rossoneri will no longer play at San Siro from 2028 or 2029, but Milano’s Mayor Beppe Sala has recently complained about the club’s decision to move away from the Stadio Meazza.
“I am disappointed. If the city council had approved a project, paid for by private investors, four years ago, we would have built it already,” Scaroni replied.
“We are now working on the San Donato dossier and Cardinale has already invested €40m for the pre-planning.”
The Milan President was also asked whether Ibrahimovic will become a club director in the near future having already met CEO Giorgio Furlani and owner Cardinale several times.
“It’s a question you should ask him. We have proved to be available,” said Scaroni.
“He is a friend of ours so our door is open. Zlatan has to decide on what to do. Apparently, he is going through a moment of reflection. It’s important for him to make a thoughtful choice, both personally and professionally.”