Bondo’s advisor thanks Galliani for Milan move and shares Moncada background | OneFootball

Warren Bondo joined AC Milan on deadline day of the January mercato and it was a deal that came a bit out of nowhere. In a recent interview, the midfielder’s advisor and uncle Malù Mpasinkatu thanked Adriano Galliani and shared a background on Geoffrey Moncada.

As Milan agreed to part ways with Ismael Bennacer, who left for Marseille, a replacement was needed and the Rossoneri quickly identified Bondo as the right man. An agreement was reached with Monza and the 21-year-old completed his move, with a transfer cost of €10m.

Speaking to MilanNews, Bondo’s uncle and advisor Mpasinkatu discussed what ended up being a chaotic deadline day. Working as a sporting director himself in Italy, he was already in ‘fighting mode’ when Milan made the call to his phone.

Many clubs had taken notice of Bondo’s performances…

“It wasn’t just Milan, even if with the Rossoneri, it’s a different story given he had been linked with the club since 2019.”

Six years ago, he was practically a kid…

“Moncada has known Warren since he was 12 years old, when he was first getting noticed in youth tournaments in France. Then he made his way to Nancy and started playing with the first team there.”

Warren arrived at Milan after all, in the final hours of the window…

“Warren was injured and didn’t think anyone would want to buy him now. But the mercato is like this. He had been on Moncada’s notebook for a long time and when Bennacer’s transfer to Marseille materialized everything changed.”

Important deal for Milan who invested over €10m in him…

“It means that Milan really believe in him, otherwise they wouldn’t have even given him a four and a half year contract. Furlani, Moncada and Ibrahimovic believe a lot in him. But now that he’s at a big club, he must do well to stay there, which is the most difficult thing.”

It was also a bit surprising that Monza let him go…

“I didn’t expect the OK from Galliani, to whom my family will always be grateful for the gesture. He preferred not to clip the wings of a 21-year-old boy who had the opportunity of a lifetime. These are things that don’t happen often in today’s football.

“Warren’s bond with Monza has remained intact. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see him in the stands of the U-Power Stadium encouraging his former teammates.”

Can you tell us about those hectic hours that led to his transfer?

“I was at the Sheraton Hotel for the usual mercato meetings, making contacts. At a certain point, I received a call from Milan, I immediately notified my brother Joao who is the player’s father, who was at home with Warren’s mother, Benedicte.

“I spoke to the boy, I asked him: ‘Do you feel like going to Milan?’. Warren couldn’t believe his ears, the answer was obviously yes. So we closed the deal.”

Were there other clubs that could have signed him?

“There were other Italian and foreign teams, but more with an eye on June. Milan played in advance,” he stated.

Milan’s relationship with Monza has always been very good, as also seen by Daniel Maldini’s move there with no transfer fee (50% resale clause instead). Bondo had also been linked with the Rossoneri prior to January and as Mpasinkatu suggested, it seems like it was destined to happen.