Fassone and Mirabelli wanted Franck Kessié at all costs, even if and when the accounts did not allow for crazy expenses.
Certainly, in that summer of 2017, Roma had presented a better offer, so much so as to push Atalanta to say yes to the Giallorossi. It was almost all done, all we needed was the player's ok. But, as long as there is no signature, you know that you have to keep trying.
The pressing
It was the end of May. Fassone and Mirabelli show up in Luca Percassi's office where Sartori is also present and put their cards on the table. “We are interested in Kessie and he likes the destination. Can we discuss this?" "We promised himto Roma, but if the player's will is to come to Milan, then we can't say anything about it", was the answer of the Nerazzurri. Translation: "bring us the agreement with Franck and we can think of giving him to you."
Fassone leaves the appointment not very convinced and prepares to return to Milan. It is already late in the evening. Mirabelli tells him: “Absolutely not. We have to convince him immediately or we'll lose him tomorrow."
There is no time to waste: AC Milan does not like auctions, convinced that they can find an agreement with Kessié but also that Roma could have presented a more convincing offer. The problem is the salary: the bonuses were ok, but the fixed salary couldn't be very high. Then, the pressing started: Mirabelli calls Atangana, the agent: “Can we find a place to discuss Kessié now? ". At that time, beyond ten in the evening, there aren't many places open and available.
Negotiation in the closet
Mirabelli goes round and round, he finds an accommodation at one in the morning: a sort of closet in a suburban hotel. "Get him (Kessié) to come too." Fassone, Mirabelli, Atangana, the player's representative and Kessié himself sit around a table and, thanks to a lot of insisting, reach an agreement. There is also the signature on a pre-contract, with Franck who was almost asleep: he sits on the chair, hears the others talking and every now and then his eyes close. “Come on, sign here”, they tell him at one point. Anything, just to be able to go back to sleep.
The next day, Fassone and Mirabelli return to Percassi and Sartori with a signed sheet of paper, agreement reached. On 2nd of June, the two-year loan transaction with a buy-obligation was formalised for a total of approximately 28 million euros.
source: www.grandhotelcalciomercato.com
