AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is reportedly on the brink of a stunning Serie A switch as the Rossoneri prepare to splash over €50 million on Diego Moreira, according to transfer insider Sacha Tavolieri.
Jorge Mendes, the powerful agent behind the scenes, has pitched Leao to AS Roma amid a sharp drop in the winger’s market value and Milan’s imminent arrival of Moreira from RC Strasbourg.
Once pegged at a staggering €50 million plus €10 million in add-ons, Leao’s price tag has now been slashed to around €40 million plus add-ons, reflecting the difficulty Milan face in offloading the forward. Both the player and club had expected a summer departure, but serious suitors have been scarce. Turkish giants Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Fenerbahce expressed interest, with Galatasaray the only side still engaged in negotiations.
In a dramatic twist, Mendes has reportedly contacted the Friedkin family, owners of Roma, to propose Leao as a transfer target. This move could allow Leao to remain in the Champions League and potentially flourish under a coach whose tactics better suit his style of play. The maneuver also aligns with Mendes’ orchestration of Moreira’s move to Milan, as the Portuguese winger had been on Roma’s radar, creating a potential domino effect between the two Italian clubs.
Leao, a seven-year San Siro veteran, might be hesitant to join a domestic rival, especially after stating his preference for the Premier League or La Liga over Serie A. Yet, with no concrete offers from those leagues, Roma could represent the most viable destination for both player and club. The Giallorossi appear ready to invest a sum comparable to their pursuit of Olympique Lyonnais’ Malick Fofana, underscoring their ambition to bolster attacking options.
This proposed swap signals a seismic shift in the Italian transfer market, highlighting the strategic chess game played by Jorge Mendes. Milan’s clear intent to secure Moreira’s signature for an excess of €50 million while offloading Leao underscores their commitment to revamping their squad. Meanwhile, Roma’s potential acquisition of Leao offers a bold statement of intent to compete at the highest level.
The coming days promise intense negotiations as Milan and Roma navigate this complex deal, with the future of Rafael Leao hanging in the balance.