AC Milan have plunged not only their own transfer plans into doubt this summer but also those of settled players and other teams.
In what emerged as a shocking revelation just 24 hours after the culmination of their Serie A season - one that saw Stefano Piolo's side finish fourth and reach the Champions League semi-finals - former defender and European great Paolo Maldini was sacked from his role as Sporting Director.
Alongside him, Frederic Massara was also dismissed from his director of sport role. The pair were a serious duo and helped Milan go from outsiders to league winners as well as Champions League competitors once more.