Fun times return to Milan. Happy for Boateng because the man is quality. One of them players that make yuh question Redknapp's judgement and policy of buying every player available even when he have good enough players in his squad.
When Prince became King! Boateng performs spectacular rendition of Michael Jackson's moonwalk for packed-out San Siro<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/pH2DTbvb41M" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/pH2DTbvb41M</a>]]>When Kevin-Prince Boateng was in the Premier League it is fair to say his form was indifferent. When he turned it on, though, there was no doubt he had a little bit of magic in his feet.
And as if to prove that point yet further, the former Tottenham and Portsmouth man showed his dancing skills this weekend as part of AC Milan's title celebrations.
The Serie A side clinched their first Scudetto in seven years last week, and returned to the San Siro on Saturday to a rapturous welcome from their fans... and romped to to 4-1 thrashing of Cagliari.
Those celebrations took another twist when Boateng honoured a promise he'd made several weeks earlier to perform Michael Jackson's moonwalk on the pitch.
In April he had told Gazzetta dello Sport: 'If we are to win the Scudetto, I will dance the moonwalk dressed as Michael Jackson, hopefully on the pitch. I have never won anything important in my career. The Scudetto would be a great conquest.'
But this was more than walking backwards; the Ghana international produced a step-perfect rendition of the King of Pop's famous routine, complete with costume.
At first few knew who was hiding behind the shimmering jacket and fedora hat. But in a thrilling climax, Boateng revealed his face to spark wild congratulations from team-mates and fans alike.
The 24-year-old has been a big hit in Serie A this term, keeping Brazilian Robinho out of the team at certain times.
And after his performance, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani quashed rumours the club is in the market for a new attacking playmaker, insisting that they already have one in Boateng.
Despite playing in a holding role during the World Cup, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri converted Boateng into a 'trequartista' (playmaker).
The only stumbling block to the move is that Boateng is actually owned by Genoa because, at the time Portsmouth were relegated, Milan couldn't afford to sign him. They therefore entered into agreement with Genoa, who paid Portsmouth up front, whereby they offered several players and a 'rental fee'.
'Boateng is our trequartista,' Galliani said. 'We need his physicality and he will be first choice (next season).'
Genoa, though, are standing firm on the price, insisting Boateng is worth more than he was 12 months ago.
'He is like wine, he gets better with age, and costs more too,' said Genoa president Enrico Preziosi. 'Boateng is worth half his value of today, not withstanding the other half which last summer was acquired at little cost, and not just in liquid cash but also with players.
'There's a 50 per cent chance Boateng will stay with Milan. We have an agreement with Galliani which also involves other players, (Marco) Amelia, (Giacomo) Beretta, (Rodney) Strasser, (Nnamdi) Oduamadi, (Gianmarco) Zigoni. If Milan respect this agreement there won't be any problems, and I don't think there will be any.'
Galliani, though, claims any increase in value has come about soley from the player's dancing skills.
'Yesterday Preziosi wanted to increase the price to make me pay for Prince's dancing qualities but I only have the intention of paying for his footballing ones,' said Galliani. 'We're still at 50-50 but we'll find an agreement.'
