Mattia Liberali is poised to complete a €6m move to Como after rebuffing a last-ditch attempt by AC Milan to bring the teenage midfielder back to San Siro.
The 19-year-old, who graduated from Milan’s youth academy, will trigger his release clause at Catanzaro to join the Serie A side. Como secured Champions League qualification last season, offering Liberali the prospect of competing at Europe’s highest level. Multiple reports including Sky Sport Italia, Fabrizio Romano and Gazzetta dello Sport indicate the transfer could be finalised within 48 hours.
Milan’s financial advantage
Milan held a significant cost benefit in negotiations. When Liberali moved to Catanzaro a year ago for a nominal fee, the Rossoneri retained 50 per cent of any future transfer proceeds. This arrangement technically enabled the club to activate the €6m release clause for just €3m, should they wish to match the offer.
However, the player opted against returning to his former employers. The refusal came despite a personal intervention from Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, who reportedly contacted the teenager directly in an unsuccessful bid to alter his decision.
Tensions behind the rejection
The choice appears rooted in unresolved difficulties from Liberali’s previous spell at the club. Sources indicate that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence within Milan’s decision-making hierarchy had created problems for the player during his time in the academy. MilanNews reports that these concerns remain unchanged, eliminating any possibility of a reunion regardless of the financial terms on offer.
Como, by contrast, successfully presented their project as the ideal next step. The Lombardy club’s remarkable rise to secure Champions League football proved decisive in convincing the midfielder that his development would be better served there than at his boyhood club.
Transaction details
Catanzaro will receive the full €6m payment from Como, with Milan entitled to half of that sum due to their pre-existing sell-on agreement. While this ensures Milan recoup some value from their academy investment, they lose control of a player who turned 19 in April and had previously been considered a prospect for the first team.
Liberali originally left Milan 12 months ago seeking senior football after finding first-team opportunities limited at San Siro. His subsequent rise has attracted multiple suitors, with Como ultimately winning the race for his signature through sporting ambition rather than financial muscle.