Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014
Marco van Ginkel was reluctant to join AC Milan from Chelsea because he believed he could force his way into the starting eleven at Stamford Bridge, Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani has revealed.
The Dutchman initially resisted Milan's overtures, but eventually agreed to sign for the Italian giants on a season-long loan deal, the move going through before the transfer window slammed shut.
Milan are delighted to have got their man, but Galliani insists Van Ginkel was not reluctant to come because he did not want to play for the club, but more because he thought he could feature at Chelsea.
"Van Ginkel initially resisted our advances. At some point we gave him an ultimatum, but then I realised that we would not get him. So I quickly told him that I was joking", Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It was not that he did not want to play at AC Milan, but he is a tremendous talent and he thought he could be a regular at Chelsea.
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"But Jose Mourinho is a great coach and thought that playing at AC Milan after eight months out due to a knee injury would be best for him."
Galliani also revealed he asked two Milan players to work their charm on Van Ginkel, one being Fernando Torres, who made the same journey, from Chelsea to the Rossoneri on loan.
"We also had two players speak to him to convince him it was best. Nigel de Jong spoke with him and Fernando Torres too.
"Eventually he agreed."
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