Top 10 most expensive departures in AC Milan's history

Tonali's transfer to the Premier League overtakes a Galactico move

From legendary figures to rising stars, each player's exit left an indelible mark on the Rossoneri's legacy, accompanied by jaw-dropping transfer fees. As we journey through the ranks, we'll unveil names like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Suso, Krzysztof Piątek, Thiago Silva, and many others, recalling the historic moments that led to their departures and the financial magnitude of each transaction.

Join us in this captivating exploration of AC Milan's high-profile departures and relive the moments that have defined the club's captivating history.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović - €21m (paid by PSG)

The 41-year-old had an illustrious career playing for clubs like PSG, FC Barcelona, Manchester United and others. Last month, AC Milan took on Hellas Verona in their last fixture of the 2022-23 Serie A season. The game ended 3-1 good to the win for San Siro supporters. But later the crowd went all emotional after Zlatan Ibrahimović finally announced he decided to hang up his boots.

This was his second spell at AC Milan where he stayed for three and a half years after moving in from MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy. His first spell saw Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain prize the then 30-year-old Zlatan away for €21 million.

9. Suso - €21.7m (paid by Sevilla)

The 29-year-old now dons the number 7 for LaLiga side Sevilla. And after arriving from AC Milan in the summer of 2020, he was recently seen lifting the 2023 Europa League trophy. Sevilla, the Kings of Europa League clinched their seventh title after beating Jose Mourinho's AS Roma on penalties.

The Liverpool Academy product was sold for a significant profit to Sevilla by AC Milan. Because back in January 2015 the Rossoneris paid just €1.30 million to Liverpool to acquire his services. Later in 2020, after an initial six-month loan spell at Sevilla, Milan received €21.7 million sum.

8. Francesco Coco - €22.5m (paid by Inter Milan)

The Derby della Madonnina is one of the biggest events in European football. Two Serie A giants namely AC Milan and Inter Milan from the same city in Italy feature in this fixture. And it is a big deal when players make a switch from one rival club to another.

Although Coco retired in September 2007, five years earlier he made such a switch. AC Milan's academy product was let go when Inter Milan splurged huge transfer money for the former Italian left-back. It was the summer of 2002 when Inter decided to hand €22.5 million in transfer to AC Milan for Coco's services.

7. Lucas Paquetá - €23.4m (paid by Olympique Lyon)

The Brazilian attacking midfielder now plays in the Premier League for West Ham after his last summer switch. Lucas Paquetá was instrumental in aiding Hammers's cause to lift the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference league title, scoring once and laying four assists further.

But he has a short history with the Italian side AC Milan too. After impressing the football world with his skills while he was with Flamengo in Brazil. The Rossoneris came calling, handing in €38.40 million to the Brazilian outfit. But his stay was short-lived only to see Lyon take him to Ligue 1 for just €23.4 million.

6. Krzysztof Piątek - €24m (paid by Hertha BSC)

After the name of forward Robert Lewandowski, another Polish forward was doing the rounds in newspapers across Europe in January 2019. Krzysztof Piątek made a name for himself after arriving at Serie A side Genoa. His goalscoring run was instrumental in igniting AC Milan's desire to splash a huge sum of €35 million.

Similar to Paquetá, his reign was also short-lived in the financial capital of Italy. Just a year later Bundesliga side Hertha BSC prized him away to Germany for €24 million.

5. Leonardo Bonucci - €35m (paid by Juventus)

To date, he is the most expensive signing for AC Milan. In the summer of 2017, a €42 million fee was allocated to help finance Leonardo Bonucci's move from Juventus. And he too became a one-season wonder in AC Milan's storied history.

After his arrival, the Rossoneris handed further responsibilities to Bonucci's shoulders. Even handing him the weight of the captain's band within a month. The club didn't feel he delivered what was expected from him. And later went on to return back to the Old Lady side after a year.

4. Thiago Silva - €42m (paid by PSG)

At number four on AC Milan's most expensive departure list is the Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva. After arriving from Fluminense for €10.00 million in January 2009, he went on to play 119 games. In his three-and-a-half-year stay with the Rossoneri, Silva was also able to record 6 goals and 2 assists.

Somewhere in France back in 2011, a money-laden took over completed in 2011. Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired French outfit PSG and named Nasser Al-Khelaifi as the club's 17th president. Under his presidency, €42.00 million amount was transferred to AC Milan in July 2012 to snatch away Silva. Silva went on to win seven Ligue 1 winners' medals before leaving to join Chelsea on a free after 8 years.

3. Andriy Shevchenko - €43.9m (paid by Chelsea)

The 2004 Ballon d'Or winner was instrumental in AC Milan's 2002-03 UEFA Champions League run. It was the Old Lady that they had to overcome on the night of 28 May 2003. Old Trafford witnessed the first-ever Italian Champions League final first-hand. AC Milan won the crown after Shevchenko netted the final penalty to give Milan a 3-2 win via a penalty shootout after extra time.

After 127 goals in 200 appearances for AC Milan, Chelsea made a big money move for the Ukrainian forward. They handed €43.9 million to AC Milan for Andriy Shevchenko back in 2006.

2. Ricardo Kaká - €67m (paid by Real Madrid)

Los Blancos 2009 transfer window saw records being shattered. The hunky Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was signed for a then-world record fee. But behind his shadows, there were other two notable arrivals also. One was Frenchman Karim Benzema and another one from AC Milan.

Real Madrid paid a sum of €67 million to the Rossoneris for letting Ricardo Kaká become a Galactico signing. The 2007 Ballon d'Or winners' stay at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium wasn't much pleasing. He later returned to Milan on a free transfer in September 2013.

1. Sandro Tonali - €70m (paid by Newcastle United)

Sandro Tonali's departure from AC Milan to Newcastle United has etched his name as the most expensive outgoing transfer in the history of the Italian club. The highly talented midfielder's move to the Premier League outfit was finalized for a staggering fee of €70 million, setting a new record for AC Milan's highest departure.

Tonali's journey from his beloved Milan to Tyneside was met with mixed emotions, as the young Italian had grown up idolizing players who once donned the famous Rossoneri jersey. Nevertheless, his decision to join Newcastle, a club showing tremendous progress under new ownership and manager Eddie Howe, opens a new chapter in his career.