One of the most interesting sub-plots when it comes to the Milan derby is that there is often an overlap with regards to mercato objectives.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) reports how Milan and Inter are set to battle for Jonathan David next summer. The Canadian forward scored 26 goals in 40 games for Lille last season and is a major objective for both clubs.
However, it would not be the only battle between the two Milanese teams for a player. The first name that stands out Marcus Thuram, who should start the derby one week on Saturday as an Inter player but it could have been very different.
The French striker came very close to joining the Rossoneri before Giuseppe Marotta swooped in at the last minute and offered him a higher salary, so he swapped red for blue.
There was also mutual interest in signing Davide Frattesi after Milan sold Sandro Tonali, but he joined the Nerazzurri after the sale of Marcelo Brozović to Al-Nassr.
The case of Marko Arnautovic is different. He would have gone to Milan if Paolo Maldini had remained as the technical director, but his departure saw the switch to younger profiles like Noah Okafor and, eventually, Luka Jovic.
Milan made up for it by signing Yunus Musah from Valencia (the Nerazzurri had been following him for more than a year). Both were disappointed in their pursuit of Mehdi Taremi, though the Rossoneri came closest to landing him and last-minute changes to salary and commission requests saw things collapse.
The point is that even though the two managements operate in separate ways with often conflicting philosophies, a lot of the same targets end up on both of their lists.
