With AC Milan needing to make a decision on Brahim Diaz’s future this summer, would a deal worth €16m+ be sensible business from a Rossoneri perspective?
The 23-year-old will see his loan deal run down this summer, but Milan have the option to sign him outright for €22m. Additionally, Real Madrid have a buy-back option of their own though, which would allow them to re-sign him for €27m, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.
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The report goes on to add that the Rossoneri are expected to offer to sign him for closer to €16m, and as high as €18m, and so it remains to be seen if that’s deemed acceptable by the Spanish giants, and whether or not a higher, rival offer is submitted which sees Diaz move elsewhere.
It’s a complicated matter that will hopefully get clarity in the coming months, but from a Milan perspective, has Diaz done enough to warrant a significant outlay to be signed on a permanent basis?
There’s no denying he possesses quality, he has technical ability and creativity and has played an important role for us while scoring crucial goals at times, particularly during our run to the Scudetto last season.
However, after initially joining us in September 2020, he has gone on to score 16 goals and provide 10 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions. For a player of his ability and given the importance of the role he plays in the final third, is that really enough to extend his stay and not look elsewhere?
Stefano Pioli undoubtedly values him highly as do the club’s management, but we have to consider the progression of Charles De Ketelaere next season who has to step up and deliver after putting a disappointing debut season with Milan firmly behind him.
Given that investment and faith, we need to see a return from the Belgian playmaker, and that can only happen if he’s given a prominent role next year.
Conversely, we also need competition and depth to compete across multiple fronts, and so Diaz would likely remain an important part in our plans and he’s a known and trusted option that has been with us for some time now and knows the system and style well.
The La Gazzetta dello Sport report above also suggests that we may well be keen on Empoli’s Tommaso Baldanzi this summer, and the youngster certainly fits the criteria of what has often been our priority in the transfer market in recent years.
Time will tell if that has a knock-on effect for Diaz and his future at Milan, but the club will no doubt closely assess whether or not he warrants us spending beyond the touted €18m limit, if Real Madrid demand more this summer.
