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The Italo-Moroccan youngster has been snapped up for big money by Adriano Galliani, a move which has left Inter, who followed him for four years, empty-handed

PROFILE
By Simone Gambino

It took a reported €500,000 for AC Milan to fight off esteemed competition to sign 14-year-old Hachim Mastour. Inter, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City were also in the hunt for the youngster, and that fact alone will make the rest of Europe sit up and take notice of a player who promises a spectacular future in football.

Inter's discovery

Born in Reggio Emilia to Moroccan parents, Hachim has had the tag of a "predestined great" for some time now. After making his first move into football with local side Reggio Calcio, he was transferred to Reggiana at the age of 10. It was there that he was spotted by Inter, who took a long, hard look at him. However, federal rules prevented Hachim from leaving the local area before turning 14, and as a result Mastour could only wear the Inter shirt in brief junior tournaments, officially remaining Reggiana's player throughout.

In January 2012, he took part in the Memorial Ielasi tournament with Inter and proved just how talented he is, scoring five goals including one in the final against Roma. The Nerazzurri made it their mission to complete his transfer to Appiano Gentile on June 15 when he turned 14, but as time went by, and as he continued to perform to a high level with Reggiana, the queue of admirers grew longer.

Milan step in

Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City (who also offered accommodation for the player's family) began to hound Dario Paolillo, Mastour's representative and the son of famous agent Gaetano Paolillo, who has Kaka among his affiliated players. However, it was with Milan that there was a real conviction to agree a move, with the head of the Rossoneri's youth set-up, Mauro Bianchessi, deciding to push on and rob Inter of their star target.

HACHIM MASTOUR TREQUARTISTA | AC MILAN

PROFILE Name Hachim Mastour Position Trequartista D.O.B. 15/06/1998 Born Reggio Emilia, Italy Nationality Italian Height 175cm Weight 63kg

Also decisive in the move was CEO Adriano Galliani, who showed a great interest in the Reggiana prodigy following a conversation with Arrigo Sacchi. The former Milan coach had long since added Mastour to the list of players called up for the national youth side at his age level. Galliani took that advice and gave the all-clear for a record transfer fee for a 14-year-old; the €500,000 offer immediately sent Milan to the head of the queue of admirers.

The deal went through officially on July 2, when Hachim attended the club's offices at Via Turati to sign a contract in the presence of Galliani, whose attitude had been a key factor in the Diavolo's success in agreeing a deal. Mastour will train with the Primavera side, but will play his football with the Allievi Nazionali, since Italian rules prevent any player under 15 competing in the Primavera category.

The tiny magician

"My main characteristics? Ball control and dribbling. I do things that other boys my age don't do," said Mastour when interviewed by Sky recently. The technical quality of this little phenomenon is undeniable. The way in which he can caress and control the ball at speed, and then protect it from the opposition, speaks of a player with skills far above his years, and brings to mind Juan Roman Riquelme.

His taste for the beautiful game can sometimes lead to him displaying exaggerated tricks, and he loves to dribble with the soles of his feet, a la Zidane. This showboating is often evident in such young prodigies who realise they have exceptional skill, and it also shows great personality on the pitch. He counts Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar among his idols, all of whom can be considered a box of tricks. However, one of Mastour's former coaches has likened him to Wesley Sneijder, partly because of his similar positioning as a true No.10.

Beyond the comparisons, it is always risky to invest so much in one so young, but everybody in this case seems to be in agreement. This was simply an investment Milan could not afford to miss out on, and the fee is more than justified. Not least because it comes at the expense of Inter.

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