The signing of Pescara striker Gianluca Lapadula caught clubs and fans alike off-guard, after news emerged AC Milan had won the race to secure his services.
From virtually the abyss to now the limelight of the Serie A in the space of 12 months, Gianluca Lapadula’s ascension is nothing short of spectacular.
His incredible rise from the lower leagues has drawn similar parallels with Leicester City star Jamie Vardy, though the former is yet to play in Italy’s top flight yet alone score profusely. Nevertheless, it a purchase which makes sense from a football and financial perspective, for a club that has lost its identity in recent years.
Born to an Italian father and Peruvian mother, Lapadula began his youth career at Juventus. However, he was released following poor academic results and eventually ended up at Parma, before being loaned out to several second and third tier sides.
Just two years ago, the 26-year-old was playing on loan with third division side Teramo, netting 21 league goals in 38 matches.
But it was last season with the Delfini in Serie B where Lapadula caught the attention of the Italian footballing fraternity. He set the league alight and finished the campaign as the league’s top scorer with 27 strikes, as well as finding the back-of-the-net on three occasions in the playoffs to catapult Pescara into the Serie A.
Immediately after the season concluded a host of clubs began circling the player, desperate to add him to their roster in order to bolster their respective attacks. The likes of Juventus, Genoa, Sassuolo and Napoli were leading the chase, but to everyone’s amazement including Pescara president Daniele Sebastiani, the Rossoneri at the 11th hour convinced the Italian to join them.
“I spoke to [Napoli director Cristiano] Giuntoli about [Gianluca] Lapadula until 2am, as I was convinced the lad could only choose between Napoli and Genoa,” Sebastiani said speaking to Radio Crc.
“I spoke to Adriano Galliani 10 days ago and he expressed how much he liked Lapadula, but Milan had to first of all focus on selling.
“Evidently something happened and I don’t know if they spoke to his agents.”
In recent years, Milan have so often been indecisive and feeble in the transfer market due to the lack of direction and a clear strategy. Negotiations to sign certain players would become protracted, like a soap opera, taking weeks before a deal would be finalised. Not in this instance.
Milan agreed a fee of €9 million, rising to €10 million with Lapadula penning a five-year contract worth reportedly €1 million a season. While it may be perceived as somewhat of a risk, it is a gamble worth taking for a side that was frequently toothless in attack, barring Carlos Bacca’s exploits.
Nicknamed ‘Sir William’ or ‘Lapagol’, the 26-year-old possesses a lethal left foot and like any typical Italian striker he is a poacher inside the 18-yard-box. He is also versatile and can even be deployed on the wing.
Beating Juventus and Napoli to a player’s signature in the past would rarely come as a surprise, but how times have changed for the fallen giant. The fact that the San Siro outfit managed to pull off the deal and stave off competition from the Partenopei and Bianconeri is crucial. Hence the Rossoneri should be commended for its swiftness in completing the transfer and why the acquisition is an early indication Milan mean business for the upcoming season.
But the Milanese club must not rest on its laurels and turn its attention to just a minor issue – the imminent sale of the club. Unlike the Lapadula coup, Silvio Berlusconi’s decision about whether to cut his 30-year tie with his beloved club has taken an eternity. Speculation surrounding the future of the team has endured for the best part of two years. Will he or won’t he sell the club? How much of the club will he sell?
A Chinese consortium has been heavily linked with buying a majority share of the club, but it appears Berlusconi is extremely reluctant and unwilling to part ways. Some quarters have viewed the acquisition of Lapadula as a way of telling the fans he is still the right man in charge, despite recently undergoing heart surgery.
The notion of Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani having to acquiesce in relinquishing some or all their power in Milan’s decision making would definitely be weighing heavy on their minds.
But for the meantime, no matter who remains in charge, a major overhaul of the squad and finding a coach is again requisite. A centre-back to partner Alessio Romagnoli should be the Rossoneri’s next purchase, in addition to buying another creative midfielder to alleviate the burden on Giacomo Bonaventura.
Regardless of Milan’s dire situation, securing Lapadula is a statement of intent and an indication there may just be promising signs ahead, for supporters yearning for the club to return to its former glory.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
