Perhaps one of the more surprising transfers of the summer, at least down the Italian end of things, was Patrick Cutrone’s to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A beloved member of the squad at Milan, the striker was pushed out by the new regime at the Serie A club in favour of then Lille forward Rafael Leão, and despite some alleged initial reluctance from the Italy international, he eventually moved to Molineux.
His start to the campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo hasn’t been ideal, as he mostly has to make do with a reserve spot behind Raúl Jiménez, but he will also need time to adapt to his new environment and the new style of football.
Echoing the many fans who were disgruntled at the player’s sale was his former teammate at Milan, Raoul Bellanova, who is now at Bordeaux in France.
Speaking to TuttoCalcioNews, he said: “It’s very difficult for a young player to make a spot for himself in a great Serie A team. There are exception and predestinated players like Zaniolo, who for me is a phenomenon. I have a great relationship with Cutrone, we are great friends and I hope he can do well at Wolverhampton.
“He gave so much for Milan and was always loved by the fans. Honestly, I didn’t understand the decision to send him away for a new youngster like Leão”.
Of course, football is a business, and it seems Milan felt there could be more profit down the line from the Portuguese’s growth than Cutrone’s, which is why they sold him while they still could.
The striker earned his side £16.2m, and they put that money to good use in the summer, even if they haven’t managed to reap the benefits just yet.
Since arriving at Wolves, Cutrone has scored one goal and assisted teammates three times in 10 appearances in all competitions.
