AC Milan strikes again as Andre Silva seals €38M move from Porto
AC Milan is doing business - and quickly.
Following swift negotiations with super agent Jorge Mendes, the resurgent Rossoneri completed a deal Monday for promising Portuguese forward Andre Silva.
Related: Porto's Andre Silva arrives in Italy for Milan medical
A statement from FC Porto confirmed that Silva, 21, cost Milan €38 million, making him the second-most expensive signing in club history behind another Portuguese player, Rui Costa. The fee could rise to €40 million if certain bonuses are achieved.
Milan has now spent €99 million to draft in four recruits over the past two weeks. The Italian giant has won plaudits for the speed with which it has signed players - a refreshing sight for a team which operated at a much slower pace in the final years of Silvio Berlusconi's reign.
CEO Marco Fassone and sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli hinted in May they would try their best to prepare a full squad by the time Milan returns for training in July. With Europa League qualifiers coming fast, manager Vincenzo Montella apparently requested the opportunity to run his new players through preseason workouts.
Mateo Musacchio first arrived from Villarreal for a reported €18 million, Franck Kessie then joined from Atalanta on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy, and Ricardo Rodriguez made the switch from Wolfsburg for €15 million plus bonuses.
In Silva, however, Milan finally has a star in the making to spearhead the attack. With Carlos Bacca and Gianluca Lapadula sputtering in front of goal last season, Silva can expect to lead the front line.
A starter for Portugal alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he already has seven goals in eight caps, earning an endorsement from his idol.
"When I retire, Portugal will still be in good hands," said Ronaldo recently. "We have a great striker in Andre Silva."