AC Milan’s 2026 could begin and unfold with a bang, as after roughly three and a half years the long-running saga of the €489 million vendor loan is approaching its final chapter. The newspaper 'La Verità' broke this sensational report, explaining that Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has for some time been searching for a financial partner willing to repay the facility, which has meanwhile risen to €566 million.
According to the paper’s sources, the Italian-American businessman is even close to sealing the deal, although it is still not entirely clear who is behind the operation. In recent days, the Manulife Comvest group has been mentioned, but not only them, as another credible name is Apollo Sports Capital, which has already invested in football by acquiring a majority stake in Atlético Madrid.
One thing is clear: if this scenario were to materialize, it could trigger significant knock-on effects, especially on AC Milan’s corporate structure. A board meeting would likely be convened to inform directors of the new financial situation, followed by the release of the pledge held over Milan by Sheva Investments Limited.
Cardinale clears the debt with Elliott and Furlani exits: the scenario:
Should RedBird settle the debt with Elliott, several figures currently at Milan could vacate their positions. The first to go would obviously be Elliott’s key representatives, Dominic Mitchell and Gordon Singer, but attention should also be paid to the current CEO, Giorgio Furlani, whose position could come under review, as relayed via Milan News.
His stewardship has often been criticised over the years, particularly by supporters, and a relationship that never truly took off with RedBird Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimović could weigh on the final assessment. At that point, a natural question arises: who would replace him? In recent months, Damien Comolli, now at Juventus, has been mentioned, but the leading candidate is Massimo Calvelli, former CEO of the ATP, who joined RedBird in June 2025.
