Como 1907 is closing in on the signing of 19-year-old attacking midfielder Mattia Liberali from Serie B side Catanzaro, with the deal expected to land at around €6 million. That figure matches Liberali’s release clause, which effectively turns a complicated negotiation into a straightforward transaction, assuming the player agrees to terms.

The Liberali file

Born on April 6, 2007, Liberali is a product of AC Milan’s renowned youth academy. He came through the Rossoneri’s development pipeline before making the decision to leave permanently in August 2025, rejecting a contract extension in favor of regular first-team football at Catanzaro.

That gamble paid off. His 2025/26 Serie B campaign was impressive enough to attract interest from clubs well above Catanzaro’s weight class, including Sassuolo, Juventus, and even a late attempt by Milan to bring him back into the fold.

His market value on major scouting platforms currently sits somewhere between €7 million and €8.5 million. In English: Como is getting a discount by triggering the release clause rather than negotiating a fee that reflects his true valuation.

Liberali has also represented Italy at the U19 level, adding international pedigree to a profile that already checks most of the boxes clubs look for in a young creative midfielder.

Milan’s hidden stake

This isn’t a clean transfer from one club to another. AC Milan negotiated a 50% sell-on clause when they let Liberali leave for Catanzaro last summer, meaning they’re entitled to half of whatever fee Catanzaro receives.

If the deal closes at the reported €6 million, Milan would pocket €3 million without lifting a finger. And if Liberali continues developing at Como and eventually moves to a bigger club for a significantly higher fee, Milan’s original decision to include that clause could look either prescient or painfully shortsighted, depending on the numbers.

Como’s broader strategy

Como’s pursuit of Liberali fits neatly into a pattern. Since the Djarum Group took ownership, the club has leaned into signing young, developing talent, particularly Italian players who can grow alongside the team’s ambitions in Serie A.

Liberali reportedly favors the move to Como over other suitors. The fact that Juventus and Sassuolo were also circling makes Como’s apparent success in landing Liberali all the more notable.

At €6 million, with a market valuation already north of €7 million, Como has built in a margin of safety that makes the deal look sensible even if Liberali takes time to adjust to Serie A.