AC Milan are searching for a new attacking midfielder while weighing a Brahim Díaz return to San Siro. The problem is that Rafael Leão’s future is still the dominant question over their summer, and the next move in one track is tied to the other. Leão’s preferred destinations were the Premier League or La Liga before Turkey emerged as an option, which has pushed the club back toward familiar territory.

Leão's future is driving Milan's summer

Football Italia reported that Milan are weighing a move to bring Brahim Díaz back to San Siro, and Goal also said they are considering him as they look for a new attacking midfielder. The link to Leão is the key part. Football Italia described Leão’s future as the club’s principal talking point, with the Portugal forward saying he feels his seven-year spell is over.

That uncertainty has not been resolved by the market around him. Leão’s asking price is reported at a minimum of €50m, rising to €60m with add-ons, and Milan want a permanent sale rather than a loan with option or obligation to buy. His wage demand is also said to be a double-digit figure, with one report putting it at €10 million per season.

Why Díaz is back in the frame

This is not just nostalgia. Díaz made 124 appearances for Milan between 2020 and 2023, scoring 18 goals and setting up 15 more. He has also stayed active at Real Madrid, starting or featuring in 6 recent World Cup matches and posting 4 goal contributions in that run, with a 6.94 rating across the sample. In other words, Milan would not be chasing a player who looks out of rhythm.

The fit is obvious enough. If Leão goes, Milan need a replacement plan. If he stays, the Díaz talk is still there, but the pressure to act quickly drops. For now, the more urgent story is Leão, and that is why the return of Díaz has moved from background possibility to a live part of Milan's summer planning. The next step is whether any club meets Milan’s price for Leão and whether the Rossoneri decide to move on to the Díaz option.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →