While he split opinion amongst Milan fans like few others have, Suso appears to be on course to seal a permanent exit from the club this summer.
As noted in the club’s official statement in January, the Spaniard joined Sevilla on an initial loan deal with an option to buy that has the ability to become an obligation dependant on certain conditions being met.
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MilanNews reported on Tuesday that Suso himself has suggested that perhaps one of those conditions to seal a permanent switch is qualifying for the Champions League, and with Sevilla in third place in the La Liga table with 11 games to go as things stand currently, there’s every chance he’ll seal his return to Spain.
The report above goes on to suggest that it is perhaps already a ‘closed chapter’, as if Sevilla are happy with the 26-year-old, who has one goal and one assist in eight appearances, they could opt to sign him outright regardless.
That ticks two boxes in terms of it being the right move for Sevilla and Suso, but what about Milan?
Time to move on and reinvest
It’s unclear how much a permanent exit would earn Milan, but given the quality that Suso possesses and value he has moving forward, you’d hope that it’s a decent fee which can be reinvested in the squad to help raise the level of the group as a whole.
Prior to his exit in January, Milan won all five games that Suso was benched for. Coincidence or a direct impact of him dropping out of the XI? There is absolutely no doubt that he’s a classy operator, but 24 goals and 31 assists in 153 appearances for us was simply never enough for a player who had such a fundamental role in the side.
The majority of our creative play came through him. If he didn’t produce, we’d generally struggle to break sides down. When he did, it made life so much easier.
However, it was all far too inconsistent and couple that with a lack of defensive effort and influence, he became a liability on the pitch on countless occasions and even received jeers from the San Siro faithful towards the latter stages of his spell with us.
While he deserved better than that, it was arguably the clearest indication of how his stock had fallen at Milan and how frustration and disappointment were beginning to become the overriding feelings towards him.
Samu Castillejo has done a great job filling in for him on the right flank albeit our form had dipped again prior to the suspension of Serie A, but much like his compatriot, he doesn’t feel like a permanent solution. In turn, armed with Suso’s transfer fee this summer, it’s hoped that the Milan hierarchy can make sensible decisions and bring in the right type of player to give us real quality in the final third and who can be decisive on a consistent basis perhaps in the mould of Ante Rebic.
While it seems the move is set to work out for Suso and Sevilla, it’s time for Milan to accept his permanent departure and start planning now how best to spend that money to ensure we bring in an upgrade and continue to move on from him with no regrets.