AC Milan defender Leo Duarte is seriously challenging Mateo Musacchio for a starting spot at centre-back, a report claims.
Duarte became the fifth summer capture for the Rossoneri earlier in the window following the official announcements of Theo Hernandez, Rade Krunic and Rafael Leao, Ismael Bennacer.
The Brazilian cost Milan a reported €11million fee, and was even compared to former defender Thiago Silva by his compatriot Serginho.
It was initially anticipated that Duarte would be considered as a back up option in the current squad, arriving as a direct replacement for Cristian Zapata.
However, Thursday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport – as cited by MilanNews.it – states that the 23-year-old is not happy with just being a rotation option.
He sees his place on the pitch and alongside captain Alessio Romagnoli, and the next 10 days provide an opportunity for him to get more acquainted with Marco Giampaolo’s system.
He will continue to work over the international break, the report adds, and has already made significant progress in the month he has been at the club, meaning Musacchio’s place is not entirely safe.
Duarte – a former team-mate of Lucas Paqueta – is the 36th instalment in Milan’s long line of Brazilian heritage, which has seen the likes of Kaka, Pato, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Thiago Silva, Cafu, Ronaldinho and many others.
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