Silvio Berlusconi oversaw intervals 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 part inside his energy to persuade potential signings to hitch the membership.
This persistence grew to become most evident in Milan’s pursuit of Torino winger Gianluigi Lentini in 1992. Coming off the again of a stellar season for Torino through which they managed to achieve the UEFA Cup last and end third in Serie A, Lentini captured the eye of Scudetto winners Milan along with his blistering tempo and unbelievable work charge.
Milan and Torino agreed a charge for Lentini’s switch on the finish of the season, however there was only one drawback; Lentini did not wish to go away.
Berlusconi makes an attempt to influence 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. “In the beginning of 1992, journalists and different individuals 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 other. At Torino, we misplaced the 1992 UEFA Cup Ultimate to Ajax, on away targets after drawing each legs.
“It was solely then that somebody from Milan lastly referred to as me and requested if I wished to hitch them. I instantly stated no, and that I wished to remain in Turin. For me, that was the tip of it. I’d already stated that to the press, too. However Milan had been very persistent. I used to be 23 years previous, I’d get far more cash than I acquired from Torino, and my brokers and associates stored saying that I’d be a idiot to show down the supply.”
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 and 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, a great few kilometres exterior 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 essentially the most profitable membership on the planet.
“He was a convincing man, however I didn’t should be satisfied. I used to be joyful the place I used to be, I had my shut associates and a membership I used to be an necessary member of. What extra might he supply 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 extra money – I instructed him I wished to remain, however I’d acquired an enormous supply. I didn’t need Torino to present me all the cash that I used to be being supplied by Milan, however a bit extra to justify my refusal. I didn’t need individuals to suppose I used to be an entire idiot!
“He stated he would do it, that I wanted to be affected person and that he’d prolong my contract. In the long run, I came upon that he’d already offered 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 could expire. He stored saying I wanted to be affected person, so I unwillingly determined to signal for Milan.”
Lentini strikes for world document switch charge
In signing for Milan, Lentini moved for a world-record £13m – a document 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 instructed my brokers to show the automobile round and drive me again residence,” he says. “I’d modified my thoughts. They phoned my father to calm me down and instructed him I used to be going nuts! In the long run, 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 charge. They gave me a great deal of cash, too
“Horrendous figures had been printed within the newspapers – abruptly I grew to become ‘Mr 65 Billion’ [65bn lire was around £30m, for the combination of his transfer fee and contract]. Working-class individuals, most people – all my individuals – had 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 stated I’d keep after which finished the other, though it hadn’t been my true want. 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 helping 5 in 30 video games. Milan additionally progressed to the Champions League last with Lentini beginning the sport on the right-wing, although they misplaced 1-0 to Marseille in Munich. Nonetheless, Lentini retains fond reminiscences 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 gained the Serie A title. That was most likely the happiest interval for me – it was my first Scudetto and I used to be an necessary member of the squad, an everyday starter, each within the league and in Europe.”
