Last summer, Clinton Nsiala reportedly turned down a contract extension with AC Milan in favour of a free transfer to Rangers.
Despite being very highly-regarded behind the scenes at the San Siro – Clinton Nsiala was a regular for the Rossoneri’s Primavera outfit – he rejected the chance to follow in the footsteps of Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini and co.
Furthermore, while attracting interest from Monza, Empoli and a Stuttgart outfit offering Champions League football, it is reported that it was the prospect of more regular first-team football at Ibrox that worked in Rangers’ favour.
One year on, whether that is a decision Nsiala looks back on with a smile on his face, only the 21-year-old himself can answer.
Nsiala has been fast-tracked through the wide spectrum of footballing emotions in the last two and a half months. From starring on his debut, Clinton Nsiala was then likened to a young Virgil van Dijk, only to see his burgeoning reputation take an almighty hit following the appointment of Barry Ferguson.
AC Milan wanted to keep Clinton Nsiala before he joined Rangers
While Ferguson insists that Nsiala will bounce back, that he finds himself back in the reserve team so soon after that 30th minute removal against Kilmarnock suggests that Rangers’ interim boss has reservations about whether he is truly ready for consistent senior action.
But if Milan harbour any ill-feeling towards the Gers – Foot Mercato say that Nsiala was ‘long considered a great hope’ for the future at the seven-time European champions – well revenge may be best served in the transfer market.
According to reports, Rangers have identified Nicolo Bertola as a potential addition to a backline in need of an overhaul. John Souttar is brilliant but injury prone, Leon Balogun is 37, and Robin Propper’s long-term future must be in question at this stage.
Technical director Nils Koppen allegedly sees Bertola – an Italy Under-21 international who plays for Spezia in Serie B – as another rising star worth considering. Another to form the backbone of a new-look Rangers alongside Lyall Cameron, Jefte, Connor Barron and Hamza Igamane.
Milan can now snatch Nicolo Bertola as contract runs down
The extent of the interest from back home in Italy, however, means Rangers already appear to be facing an uphill battle. Juventus reportedly want Nicolo Bertola too. As do Atalanta and Napoli.
Calcio Spezia, meanwhile, throw another name into the frame. AC Milan.
The report claims that Milan are looking to bring in former Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici as their new sporting director. It is understood that Paratici is ‘enticed’ by the prospect of bringing in the 6ft 4ins Bertolo on a free transfer, feeling that his stand-out performances for Italy at youth level mark him out as a player with both the talent and the maturity to handle such a step up.
There is also the fact that Nicolo Bertolo is out of contract this summer and has ‘no intention’ of renewing his contract with Spezia.
AC Milan might have lost Clinton Nsiala to Rangers on a free transfer in 2024 but, twelve months on, they could go some way to making amends.
