AC Milan are considering a move for Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz as they search for a new attacking midfielder, with Rafael Leao’s departure from the club increasingly possible this summer.
The Morocco international has been identified as a leading candidate to fill the creative role after Milan missed out on Konstantinos Karetsas. The Greece international recently joined Borussia Dortmund from Genk in a deal worth 33m euros.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Roma’s Matias Soule remain under consideration by the Serie A club, although Diaz is understood to be among Milan’s preferred options.
A return to San Siro would reunite Diaz with the club where he enjoyed a successful spell between 2020 and 2023. During his loan stint, he made 124 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 15 assists.
Diaz also played a role in Milan’s Serie A title triumph in 2022, before returning to Real Madrid. The 25-year-old remains under contract with the Spanish club until 2027.
Juventus had also shown interest in signing Diaz, but have since turned their attention to Bayer Leverkusen player Kerim Alajbegovic.
The possibility of bringing Diaz back to Milan is closely linked to the uncertainty around Leao, whose position has become the main issue facing the club this summer.
The Portugal forward has indicated that he believes his seven-year spell with Milan may have reached its end. His initial preference was to move to either the Premier League or La Liga, but no offers have arrived from clubs in either competition.
That situation has led Leao to become open to a move to Turkey, where Galatasaray are preparing to make an approach. The Istanbul club can offer Champions League football, unlike domestic rivals Fenerbahce.
Leao is receptive to the prospect of joining Galatasaray, but he is seeking a substantial salary of more than 10m euros to complete the move.
Milan, meanwhile, want any departure to be made on a permanent basis. The club are not prepared to consider loan proposals for the forward.
The potential loss of Leao would leave Milan needing to reshape their attacking options, with the club now examining several candidates for the attacking midfield position. Diaz’s previous experience at San Siro and his contribution to the 2022 title-winning campaign make him a particularly familiar option as the Italian club assess their next move.
