Pedulla: Milan offered Lecce star in centre-back hunt after Mendes switch

AC Milan’s search for a central defender might not take them too far, with a Lecce star having been offered.

After sealing a deal for Goncalo Ramos, who will arrive in a club-record operation from PSG, Milan have moved on to a centre-back. It was widely reported that negotiations for Antonio Silva were progressing rapidly, but on Monday afternoon denials have started to emerge.

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From Silva to Gabriel?

The Rossoneri are working to provide Ruben Amorim with the reinforcements he requested, and their priority list for the next week includes the defence, given that the central defenders have very specific roles to fulfil.

According to what Alfredo Pedullà (via Calciomercato.com) is reporting, Tiago Gabriel has been proposed to Milan. The Lecce star – born in France but of Portuguese nationality – has just switched to Gestifute, an agency headed by Jorge Mendes, who conducted the Ramos operation.

Tiago Gabriel had already been linked with Milan and Juventus back in April, thanks to an excellent season with Lecce with 37 appearances and two goals in Serie A (against Cagliari and Fiorentina), in addition to two more appearances in the Coppa Italia.

The 21-year-old is one of the Salento club’s jewels, and it’s no coincidence that his value has risen over the months, exceeding €25-30m. Antonio Silva and Tiago Gabriel are the last two names, but it is not excluded that other profiles for Milan’s defence could emerge in the next few hours.