Brahim Díaz, the key to Real Madrid landing Leão
According to Cadena Ser, if Rafael Leão does not renew with AC Milan, Real Madrid could enter a swap deal including Brahim.
Cadena SER radio’s sports program hosted by Pacojo explained the current situation of Rafael Leão at AC Milan. The Portuguese striker will be out of contract in June 2024 and despite the fact that negotiations for the renewal are reporting to be advancing, that has done little to ease concerns with club management.
Milan’s Technical Director Paolo Maldini and his staff do not want to suffer a repeat of what happened with Gianluigi Donnarumma or Franck Kessié who were allowed to run down their contracts and left as free agents - the goalkeeper joining PSG and the midfielder, Barcelona. Leão’s salary demands will be the main point of contention in negotiating a new deal. According to La SER, Jorge Mendes, Leão’s representative, has already offered the player to Real Madrid. They claim that an operation would take place in the event that the Portuguese forward failed to renew terms. Milan would be forced to sell him in this summer’s transfer market with Brahim Díaz entering into the operation.
At Madrid, they know of Milan’s intention to hold onto Brahim, once his two-year loan deal comes to an end this summer. The Málaga-born forward is a key piece in Stefano Pioli’s scheme and one of the pillars of the team. Milan will try to keep him by negotiating a permanent deal with Real Madrid - even though the Spanish giants always believed Brahim would develop into a talented player and for that reason, were reluctant to include a purchase option in the loan.