It seems as though Gabriel Paletta’s stay with AC Milan will go down as a short one. The Rossoneri (according to Tuttomercatoweb) are looking to off-load the experienced defender.
Paletta only arrived at Milan in January from Parma, but thanks to the signing of Alessio Romagnoli from Roma, now have a surplus in central defence. In addition to Paletta and Romagnoli, the team also employ Alex, Cristian Zapata, Rodrigo Ely and Philippe Mexes among others.
New faces at San Siro
Selling the 29-year-old Paletta would certainly fit with Milan’s youth movement. The team did add the experienced Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca (both 28), but also signed the likes of Romagnoli (20), Jose Mauri (19) and Andrea Bertolacci (24). The team also moved on from the likes of Robinho, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Giampaolo Pazzini and Daniele Bonera, all of whom are on the wrong side of 30.
Born in Argentina, but eligible for the Azzurri thanks to heritage, Paletta has earned three caps for the Italian National Team and represented them at the 2014 World Cup. His well-travelled career has seen him suit up for Banfield, Liverpool, Boca Juniors and Parma before arriving in Milan.
Paletta hasn’t exactly underperformed with the Milanese giants either. According to WhoScored, he posted a 6.93 rating with Milan to go along with 2.1 tackles, 2.8 interceptions and 4.9 clearances per game. Those numbers aren’t exactly the stuff of legends, but they’re solid nonetheless.
Romagnoli set for starting berth
The decision to sell Paletta likely means Romagnoli would start in defence next to Mexes for the Rossoneri.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Atalanta is negotiating with Milan, with the option of a season-long loan also a possibility.
Paletta hasn’t returned to the national team since 2014, so perhaps a move to a club offering more playing time will help the defender in that regard. The player’s agent, Martin Guastadisegno told Tuttomercatoweb that “If Romagnoli arrives, we’d ask to leave.” Given Romagnoli’s arrival, Paletta’s career in a Milan shirt may end just as quickly as it began.