Worth a Million: the last push that brought Mannion to Milan

Nico Mannion’s transfer, which took nearly three weeks to finalize and at one point seemed nearly impossible, was ultimately completed thanks to a significant initiative from the player himself. Mannion contributed financially out of his own pocket to secure his move from Varese to Milan.Nico Mannion had just wrapped up his second game of the Italian league season, grinding through a tough 100-106 loss to Trento, the league’s unbeaten juggernaut. While Mannion was regrouping, another game was being played behind the scenes – one that could reshape his career. Across the league, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was knocking on Varese’s door.

BasketNews tells the story of Mannion’s move, which took nearly three weeks to finalize and seemed, at one point, nearly impossible to pull off.

It was October 14th when Milan made their interest. Representatives from the EuroLeague powerhouse approached Varese, signaling their desire to bring Mannion back to Europe’s biggest stage.

The timing was no coincidence. Just days earlier, Mannion had torched Derthona Basket with a 32-point, 7-assist performance, showing off the kind of playmaking that could anchor Milan’s ambitions. But Varese’s response was as firm as it was swift: no chance.

It’s important to understand that in the current European market, buying out players from any level, including EuroCup or BCL, is a significant challenge. Regardless of the buyout amount, many teams are often reluctant to part with their key players, even when large sums are offered in transfers.

Mannion knew what was at stake. A return to the EuroLeague, to one of its wealthiest and most ambitious clubs, was a dream few could ignore. It was validation of his transformation at Varese, where he had evolved into one of Italy’s premiere scorers.

Over 18 games in the 2023-24 season, Mannion averaged 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, shooting an efficient 45.3% from the field.

Recognizing the opportunity, Mannion made his intentions clear – he was ready for the next level. Varese, while reluctant, cracked open the door for negotiations. But what Milan hoped would be a straightforward transfer quickly turned into a high-stakes standoff.