Silvio Berlusconi oversaw durations of domination and a pointy downturn in performances throughout his 31-year possession of AC Milan between 1986 and 2017, and the Italian politician tried every little thing inside his energy to persuade potential signings to hitch the membership.
This persistence turned most evident in Milan’s pursuit of Torino winger Gianluigi Lentini in 1992. Coming off the again of a stellar season for Torino during which they managed to succeed in the UEFA Cup closing and end third in Serie A, Lentini captured the eye of Scudetto winners Milan together with his blistering tempo and unimaginable work charge.
Milan and Torino agreed a payment for Lentini’s switch on the finish of the season, however there was only one downside; Lentini did not wish to go away.
Berlusconi makes an attempt to steer Lentini after he rejects AC Milan
“I genuinely didn’t wish to go away Torino, the membership I grew up at,” Lentini completely tells FourFourTwo. “At first of 1992, journalists and different folks stored telling me that I’d quickly put on the Rossoneri jersey, even if nobody from Torino or Milan had ever spoken to me about it. I stored saying that I’d keep, and that was the reality! I didn’t wish to go anyplace, I used to be residing a contented life. I’ve by no means been somebody who says one thing and does the alternative. At Torino, we misplaced the 1992 UEFA Cup Remaining to Ajax, on away targets after drawing each legs.
“It was solely then that somebody from Milan lastly known as me and requested if I wished to hitch them. I instantly mentioned no, and that I wished to remain in Turin. For me, that was the tip of it. I’d already mentioned that to the press, too. However Milan have been very persistent. I used to be 23 years previous, I might get far more cash than I acquired from Torino, and my brokers and mates stored saying that I’d be a idiot to show down the provide.”
Regardless of being bullish at wanting to stay with Torino, Lentini could not shake off the advances from the Rossoneri. Both Lentini wasn’t saying “no, grazie” clearly sufficient, or Milan simply did not wish to hear it. That is when the late Silvio Berluscconi stepped in, in an try to persuade the winger to maneuver the 80-odd miles east.
“Silvio Berlusconi was so insistent that he despatched his helicopter twice to impress me,” Lentini continues. “It took longer to drive to the airport, few kilometres outdoors of Turin, then wait there and fly 30 to 40 minutes to Arcore, close to Milan, than to simply drive on to Berlusconi’s villa. However he cherished doing these issues to shock you, and he wouldn’t cease repeating that Milan was probably the most profitable membership on the planet.
“He was a convincing man, however I didn’t must be satisfied. I used to be completely happy the place I used to be, I had my shut mates and a membership I used to be an vital member of. What extra might he provide me? Simply cash, which is one thing I by no means actually cared about. I went to Torino’s president Gian Mauro Borsano and requested for a bit more cash – I informed him I wished to remain, however I’d acquired an enormous provide. I didn’t need Torino to provide me all the cash that I used to be being provided by Milan, however a bit extra to justify my refusal. I didn’t need folks to suppose I used to be a whole idiot!
“He mentioned he would do it, that I wanted to be affected person and that he’d prolong my contract. Ultimately, I discovered that he’d already bought me in March! He’d signed a pre-agreement, legitimate till June 30 – if I didn’t signal for Milan earlier than that deadline, it will expire. He stored saying I wanted to be affected person, so I unwillingly determined to signal for Milan.”
Lentini strikes for world file switch payment
In signing for Milan, Lentini moved for a world-record £13m – a file that stood for 4 years till Alan Shearer swapped Blackburn for Newcastle. The essential distinction was, although, that Shearer was determined to signal for his boyhood membership, whereas Lentini was determined to stay at his.
“I used to be so sad that, as soon as we reached Milan, I informed my brokers to show the automotive round and drive me again house,” he says. “I’d modified my thoughts. They phoned my father to calm me down and informed him I used to be going nuts! Ultimately, Milan satisfied me and I signed my contract shortly earlier than the June 30 deadline got here round. The Rossoneri paid some huge cash for me, a world-record payment. They gave me a great deal of cash, too
“Horrendous figures have been printed within the newspapers – unexpectedly I turned ‘Mr 65 Billion’ [65bn lire was around £30m, for the combination of his transfer fee and contract]. Working-class folks, most people – all my folks – have been outraged. Followers attacked Torino headquarters and protested within the streets.
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“It didn’t look good for me, both. I’d mentioned I’d keep after which executed the alternative, regardless that it hadn’t been my true need. I’d simply wished to remain in Turin, the place I might play soccer with out all of those points.”
Regardless of Lentini’s protestations over the transfer, he did finish the 1992/93 marketing campaign as a Scudetto winner, with the winger scoring seven and aiding 5 in 30 video games. Milan additionally progressed to the Champions League closing with Lentini beginning the sport on the right-wing, although they misplaced 1-0 to Marseille in Munich. Nonetheless, Lentini retains fond recollections of his first season on the membership.
“I used to be the world’s most talked about participant at that second,” Lentini provides. “My first season at Milan was good and we instantly received the Serie A title. That was in all probability the happiest interval for me – it was my first Scudetto and I used to be an vital member of the squad, an everyday starter, each within the league and in Europe.”