Jorge Mendes and the hidden truth behind the arrival of Sérgio Conceição

Sérgio Conceição’s debut at AC Milan was like a waking dream. By overcoming the two historic rivals of Juventus and Inter Milan, the Rossoneri were able to win the Italian Super Cup, organized in Saudi Arabia. In just ten days, the Rossoneri are already feeling a “Conceição Effect” on the pitch, in the locker room, but also among journalists and fans. At San Siro, everyone is very confident about the second half of the season under the leadership of the former FC Porto tactician, especially since despite the crisis under Paulo Fonseca, Milan is still in contention in the Champions League, in Coppa but also in the new version of the Club World Cup which will take place in the United States next June. Before thinking about all that, the winter transfer window will be scrutinized and a protagonist from outside the Milan club could play a leading role: Jorge Mendes, world-famous agent and founder of the Gestifute agency.

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Jorge Mendes’ fame in the world of football began around 20 years ago with the rise of two giants such as José Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. And as if by chance, the arrival in Italy of its two historic clients changed the destiny of Inter and Juventus: respectively in 2008 for the Special One and in 2018 for CR7. But for a very long time, Jorge Mendes had difficulty establishing a lasting foothold in Serie A, a championship which was largely dominated by his “rival” Mino Raiola (agency since taken over by Rafaela Pimenta) for several years. But in recent weeks the Portuguese agent has returned to the center of the Italian market with multiple operations starting with AC Milan.

Jorge Mendes’ failed act

It was an open secret for several seasons. Jorge Mendes was fighting hard behind the scenes to bring one of his many prestigious clients to the Rossoneri. Already last summer, when Stefano Pioli left, the boss of the Gestifute agency tried to place Julen Lopetegui, Bruno Lage and Nuno Espírito Santo on the Milan bench without success. With the arrival of Sérgio Conceição in place of Paulo Fonseca, Mendes has finally managed to establish himself at AC Milan and a major domino effect could quickly take place from this winter transfer window. According to information from La Gazzetta dello Sportthe choice of Conceição as new coach could open up new and interesting scenarios in the transfer market for the Rossoneri during the January transfer window, thanks to the collaboration with the agent of the Portuguese tactician. Indeed, Jorge Mendes is already working behind the scenes to offer several talents to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Geoffrey Moncada, Gerry Cardinale and Giorgio Furlani, like what he had already done at Wolverhampton by surrounding his client Nuno Espírito Santo with several gems from Gestifute including Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Fábio Silva, Daniel Podence, João Moutinho, Nélson Semedo, Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota, Rui Patrício, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves, Adama Traoré, José Sá, Gonçalo Guedes… And the list is still very long.

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In Milan, the shadow of Jorge Mendes could intensify, especially since he maintains close links with Rafa Leao without being his official agent. The latter is still negotiating his contract extension. Conceição’s AC Milan could target António Silva, Portuguese central defender playing for Benfica and represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also on the shelves of Juventus, in the event of the sale of the defensive sector. In attack, it will be necessary to clarify the future of Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor. Both are unlikely to be retained, so one of them could be sold to make room for one of Mendes’ brightest talents in Francisco Trincão. The former FC Barcelona nugget, who played for Sporting Braga and Wolverhampton, is having a great time at Sporting with 6 goals and 11 assists this season. Jorge Mendes also has a few other ideas for the new Milan under Conceição: Giovanni Reyna and Daniel Bragança, both clients of the Gestifute agency. For the first time in his long, brilliant career, the 59-year-old Portuguese agent has a foot at San Siro and he intends to extend his influence in the offices of the Milan club by relying on Sérgio Conceição.