Fabio Borini to join AC Milan on a permanent basis

Fabio Borini’s agent Roberto di Fanti has confirmed that his client will be joining AC Milan on a permanent basis from Sunderland on July 1. The Italy international joined the Rossoneri on a season-long loan from the Black Cats last summer and managed to impress under Vincenzo Montella and his successor Gennaro Gattuso whilst playing in different positions.

As a result of his progress, the Italian has now earned himself a permanent deal with the Rossoneri, which would last until the summer of 2021, Di Fanti said: “Yes, from the first of July he will be a player owned by the Rossoneri club until 2021. I would say Borini has had a positive season, given that there were low expectations when he arrived. He has proven to be worthy of Milan. Fabio is an exemplary professional and never seeks controversy, despite being played in several different roles across the pitch. He has worked very hard to be an important player for the club.”
Borini started the 2017/18 campaign in more of a defensive role at right wing-back but as the season progressed, he has been playing further up the field under the guidance of Gattuso. Milan head into the final game week needing a win to secure a sixth place finish and this would be considered as a reasonable outcome, considering they were lingering in a mid-table battle when Montella was sacked in November.

As for Sunderland, they are expected to undergo a transition following their demotion to League One and the first part of it involves the changes of ownership with Stewart Donald due to meet the Football League to complete the necessary formalities. As per reports, the Black Cats are likely to recoup a fee of around £5m from Borini’s sale and this offers them with something to spend for the summer. Sunderland also earned a £6m package earlier in February after shipping out Jeremain Lens on a permanent basis.