Serie A side Monza are the latest side to enquire after Pablo Mari, according to reports in Italy.
Promoted to the Italian top flight for the first time in their 110-year history following a play-off win in May, they are splashing the cash in a bid to strengthen ahead of the new campaign.
Monza’s financial muscle comes from Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi whose holding company Fininvest acquired the club in 2018.
Pablo spent the second half of last season on loan with Udinese but they didn’t have the money to keep him around. AC Milan and Hellas Verona have also been linked.
Whether he fits the bill for Monza is up for debate. It turns out 85-year-old Berlusconi – he of the ‘bunga bunga’ parties and major corruption scandals – reportedly has some weirdly strict criteria for new signings, including no beards, no tattoos, no earrings and neatly styled hair.
While Pablo can have a shave without too much hassle, the real blocker for the Spaniard is his nationality…he’d have to pretend he’s Italian.
Mad. But very Berlusconi.
Monza owner Silvio Berlusconi has laid out his physical requirements for players signed in the transfer market
–– Italian
–– No tattoos
–– No earrings
–– No beards
–– Hair must be neatly styled (the club has a barber on site ready to give free haircuts)— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) July 6, 2022
Elsewhere, reports in France claim Folarin Balogun is being tracked by Ligue 1 side Reims who’ve recently loaned star striker Hugo Ekitike to Paris Saint Germain for the season.
There’s talk of a season-long loan. Given his credentials, we suspect they won’t be the only ones who have made an approach.
Mari has to go, he can’t be 5th choice at Arsenal, he’ll rarely get a game.
Wow, look how many boxes Mari ticks regarding Monza’s checklist. If you add that he has the right amount of legs and supposedly teeth, he must be the ideal signing for the Berlusconi club.
I guess we just wait now for the shocking realisation that Monza will struggle to pay his wages.
That seems to be the theme of this window.
I’m just trying to figure out why Reims are loaning a striker to PSG…
It’s a bit odd but there’s a €35 million buyout clause, believed by many to be mandatory.
Thanks, that helps make some sense of it.
Same as that mbappe bloke… except that one was 5x higher value.
the same reason german clubs all funnel their talent to bayern
He can have a career in Italy or Portugal. I hope he realises that and pushes for a move.
Another one who, with the best will in the world, isn’t up to the ‘next level’ standard that we all know what the club is pushing for.
I hope something can be sorted out soon for the benefit of both the player and Arsenal.
I wish him well.
Enough of suitors! One of them should just pay the dowry and get the wedding done.
At 85, though, Berlusconi might have some trouble consummating the deal.
You might might be surprised ….
No tattoos??? … Monza have no hope with that nutter in charge…
Looks like Pop Pops is one tough man to please.
I haven’t laughed so hard in a long long time. Had to read the rules laid down at their club again and again and again. I mean I thought it was Mr. Blogs with his usual banter but then I just saw the tweet. Jeez😳😂🤣
Literally, checked my watch. Nope, not April 1st
Would be interesting if someone made an all star 11 of active players that meet these criteria. Like what would be the best team in theory, assuming they would all be willing to join this nutter club.
I think there will probably be hesitation about going there for a lot of players, but the free haircut ought to seal it.
Actually this rule reminded me of the rumoured Kim Jong Un list of accepted hairstyles in North Korea.
who would have thought a neo-fascist like berlusconi would have insane rules about the appearance and nationality of players… lmao
Dear Arteta, kindly offload fast and get Tielemans….
Honestly, the sooner the better imo. Ideally would have wanted the offloads done before start of season, you don’t want them just hanging around.
Don’t Sevilla need some new CB’s? They sold both of theirs…
Wonder if Pablo would be interested in joining a club run by a fascist
Where is Di Canio when you need him? Maybe they could dig out that guy again for the “project”. Ah no, he has that Mussolini tattoo.
To be honest, even if it would be good for the club to “offload” Pablo, but you wouldn’t wanna make any kind of pressure on the player to join that bunch.
“Italian Suitors”
harrharr!
😂😂😂