The young Dutchman was sideline for a large part of last season with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, but after recovering was ready to fight for his place in Jose Mourinho’s team.
But with many midfielders at his disposal, Mourinho made it clear that the youngster was surplus to requirements at the club and would be free to leave the club on loan.
Galliani admitted initial talks with Van Ginkel over his move to Serie A were very difficult, however Nigel De Jong and Fernando Torres convinced him to make the san Siro swtich.
Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Van Ginkel initially resisted our advances. At a certain point we set him an ultimatum, but then I realised he wouldn’t join us like that and I told him that I was joking.
“It was not that he did not want to join Milan, but he is a huge talent and he thought that he could become a starter at Chelsea.
“However, Jose Mourinho, who is a great coach, thought that playing for Milan after eight months on the sidelines due to injury would be best for him.
“We convinced him by using two players: De Jong spoke to him and then Fernando Torres as well. Eventually, he agreed to a move.”
By Phil Wellbrook
