Rafael Leao could reportedly leave AC Milan this summer, and a possible exchange involving James Rodriguez could be an option for the Rossoneri.
Leao, 22, had another difficult season last year as he managed seven goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, with frustration over his lack of consistency and energy at times.
READ MORE: Why Milan should target Van de Beek, Ziyech after Calhanoglu exit
With Milan now returning to the Champions League and ultimately hoping to compete for the Scudetto moving forward, we need players capable of producing week in and week out.
There is no doubt that Leao is hugely talented and perhaps he just needs more patience, but that could be running out for the Rossoneri as a change could be made to our attacking options this summer.
As reported by Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo in his tweet below, agent Jorge Mendes could propose an idea which would involve a player exchange between Milan and Everton involving Leao and James Rodriguez.
Further, he added on Twitter that Leao could leave regardless, with Borussia Dortmund touted as a possible destination for him too.
🚨 Al momento si tratta di un’idea di #Mendes, complicata ma da seguire: Rafael #Leão per James #Rodriguez su @cmdotcom
— Daniele Longo (@86_longo) June 22, 2021
As with any young talent who has yet to hit his best form, Milan run the risk of losing a possible star in the future if they do decide to green light a Leao exit this summer.
That said, the Portuguese ace has had plenty of opportunities to impress and for the most part, he has failed to take them and that in turn has led to the frustration around him.
An exit this summer could be the right move for all concerned, but time will tell if that comes as part of a swap deal or if he simply moves on for a new challenge elsewhere.
As for Rodriguez, the 29-year-old contributed six goals and nine assists in 26 appearances for Everton last season, but with Carlo Ancelotti having now left for a return to Real Madrid, it’s surely difficult to see the Colombian international staying on in Merseyside.
Time will tell if he emerges as a genuine option for Milan, but having seen Hakan Calhanoglu leave the club this week, adding more creative quality and a proper No.10 could be high on the agenda of things to get done in this transfer window.
