Ivan Gazidis doesn’t officially start his new role as CEO of AC Milan until 1 December, but the continental media are already speculating that his Arsenal connections could shape future appointments at the San Siro.
We’ve been reading for months that the Serie A giants could be interested in signing Aaron Ramsey when he becomes a free agent in the summer, now it’s claimed that both Arsene Wenger and Gilles Grimandi could also follow Gazidis, who finished working at the Emirates last week, to Italy.
Yesterday, France Football claimed that Wenger has been holding talks with Milan’s hierarchy for several weeks and is being lined up as a replacement for head coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Given the Rossoneri are currently in 4th place in Serie A and Gazidis was the main force behind Wenger’s Arsenal departure, it seems somewhat far-fetched. That said, the new ownership at the San Siro – led by American hedge fund manager Paul Singer – is a Gooner with a soft spot for Le Prof. Stranger things have happened in football.
Today, La Gazetta dello Sport focuses on the possible arrival of Grimandi, Arsenal’s chief scout in France. It says that the Frenchman, who won two Doubles during five years as a player at Highbury, is set to become chief scout at the San Siro.
It’s the second time in three months that Grimandi has been linked with an Arsenal exit. When Thierry Henry looked to be on the verge of joining Bordeaux earlier this year, it was suggested that Grimandi could follow him.
We’d suggest taking all the links with Milan with a pinch of salt right now. There’s a lot of joined up thinking going on and little real evidence.