Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz enters Milan frame as Leao weighs Galatasaray switch

AC Milan are considering a move for Real Madrid and Morocco midfielder Brahim Diaz as they search for a new attacking midfielder, with Rafael Leao increasingly expected to leave the club this summer.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Diaz has emerged as a leading candidate to fill Milan’s playmaker role after the club missed out on Greek teenager Konstantinos Karetsas. The 18-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund from Genk for €33m.

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Roma’s Matias Soule remain among Milan’s other options, but Diaz is a familiar figure at San Siro after a successful three-year loan spell with the Italian club.

The Morocco international spent the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons at Milan, making 124 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 15 assists. He also helped the club win the Serie A title in 2022.

Diaz remains under contract at Real Madrid until 2027. Juventus had also shown an interest in signing him, but have since turned their attention to Bayer Leverkusen player Kerim Alajbegovic.

The possibility of Diaz returning to Milan is being considered against the backdrop of growing uncertainty over Leao’s position at the club. The Portugal forward has indicated that he feels his seven-year spell with Milan has reached its conclusion.

Leao’s preferred destinations were initially the Premier League or La Liga. However, with no offers arriving from clubs in either competition, the 26-year-old has started to consider a move to Turkey.

Galatasaray are preparing to make an approach for Leao and can offer him Champions League football next season. Their domestic rivals Fenerbahce do not currently have the same guarantee of a place in Europe’s leading club competition.

Leao is receptive to the prospect of joining Galatasaray, although he is seeking a salary of more than 10m to complete the move. Milan, meanwhile, want a permanent transfer and are not prepared to consider loan proposals.

The Italian club’s recruitment plans therefore depend heavily on how Leao’s situation develops. Should the forward depart, Milan will need to replace a key attacking player while also rebuilding the creative area of their midfield.

Diaz’s previous contribution to the club makes him an attractive option, particularly after his role in Milan’s 2022 league triumph. His existing contract with Real Madrid, however, means any return would require the two clubs to reach an agreement over a transfer.

For now, Nwaneri and Soule remain in contention alongside Diaz, while Milan continue to monitor the market following Karetsas’ move to Borussia Dortmund. The club’s priority is to bring in an attacking midfielder, but the potential sale of Leao could determine both the scale and direction of their summer business.