Milan Transfer Market: Mario Gila Sparks the Derby with His Comments: “Inter Was Also After Me”

To shore up a decidedly unstable defense, Milan made a decisive move for Mario Gila during the summer transfer window, investing 30 million euros to sign the Spanish defender from Lazio and outbidding several other Italian clubs. Napoli and Atalanta were indeed on his trail, but it appears that Inter had also tried to join the race. This was confirmed by the former Real Madrid player himself, who explained that he preferred the Rossoneri despite interest from the Nerazzurri.

The Catalan native of Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, born in 2000, was keen to point out that his decision was driven above all by the prestige and history of the club once owned by Silvio Berlusconi, as well as by the opportunity to help Milan return to the top.

Gila’s impact on the Rossoneri world was positive right from the start. Already in his first appearances of the season, the Spanish defender won over both the coach and the fans, so much so that Ruben Amorim has permanently established him as one of his key defenders. This was also confirmed on the field, with Gila regularly training with the team since the eve of the home opener against Venezia, after having fully recovered—without any lingering effects—from the cramps he suffered on the first matchday of the season against Torino.

In the Rossoneri’s back line, Gila has carved out a starring role alongside Pavlovic, Gabbia, and De Winter, though the club has continued to look around for additional depth in the defense. After the transfer window closed, Milan also evaluated Diogo Leite, a free agent following his stint at Union Berlin and a player also being tracked with interest by Lazio and Torino, though they did not make a move for him. The stated target for January remains Gonçalo Inacio, captain and center back for Sporting Lisbon, whom Amorim has already expressed his admiration for on multiple occasions.

On the outgoing front, the Rossoneri management has had to deal with the situation involving Fikayo Tomori, who remained on the roster after negotiations with Fulham failed to conclude by the September 1 deadline. The Englishman, who has slipped to the bottom of Amorim’s pecking order, is considered on his way out, and Milan might settle for around 6 million euros to let him go as early as the upcoming winter transfer window, thereby freeing up space—and resources—for the long-awaited defensive reinforcement.