In Italy, they do things differently.
Serie A’s leading sporting directors, CEOs, agents and journalists will all head to Milan’s luxurious l’Hotel Melia di Milano to oversee a civilised end to the summer transfer market on Friday (22:00 UAE).
This unique arrangement – in football, at least – should guarantee the kind of seamless finale that the Premier League’s sensationalist bull market is not willing to provide.
Just like in England, teams will push to get deals done until the final moment. However, with many of the major actors in the same building, chances of success are markedly improved.
Plenty of business remains to be done. At both ends of the table.
Six-time successive champions Juventus are not sated by July’s remarkable capture of Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo – a move to encapsulate the competition’s ascendant feeling.
Astute sporting director Fabio Patrici’s mastery of the market has ensured they have moved into place for Paris Saint-Germain contract rebel Adrien Rabiot.
Only €20 million (Dh83.4m) may be required to add to a centre midfield that has already been refreshed by Liverpool and Germany’s Emre Can on a free transfer.The holders still look unstoppable.
Action shots from today's friendly at JTC ⚪️⚫️💪
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 15, 2018
📸➡️ https://t.co/0iFJgPFIRI #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/r2dXywqI9h
Leonardo’s return to AC Milan in July will see the rarefied sporting director work the booths.
In the last week, French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has been loaned from Chelsea and Uruguay full-back Diego Laxalt has been landed on an €18m (Dh75m) package. Premier League sides Bournemouth and Everton were reportedly quoted £18m (Dh84m).
Villarreal winger Samu Castillejo is also poised to join.
The story of deadline day is whether Leonardo’s charm and contacts can convince Lazio to release Serbia phenom Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on a lucrative loan.
Rivals Internazionale will wait to see if Real Madrid’s resolve to keep Golden Ball winner Luka Modric slackens.
Sampdoria require a new centre forward to make the step up from mid-table. Carlo Ancelotti wants a goalkeeper at runners-up Napoli, while promoted Parma are among the expected relegation battlers eager for reinforcements.
Each will hope a five-star setting inspires a star-studded conclusion to the mercato.
