MN: Background on Hoffenheim starlet who rejected Man City and is wanted by Milan and Barcelona

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan have begun initial enquiries with the entourage of Hoffenheim defender Melayro Bogarde over a move to Italy, a report claims.

According to MilanNews, Elliott Management will continue their vision of signing young players with high potential and they want to fill their ranks with the best talents on the international scene.

The latest name that has filtered is Melayro Bogarde, and the first exploratory contacts between the Milan management and the boy’s entourage have taken place, but Barcelona are also keen on the 18-year-old whose deal expires in June 2021.

The name of Bogarde may be familiar to Milan fans and it is for good reason: Melayro’s uncle is Winston, who played a handful of games for the Rossoneri in 1997.

Melayro was born in Rotterdam on May 28, 2002, exactly one year before Milan raised the sixth Champions League in Manchester. He is tall and that allows him to show good speed in recovery, and is right-footed. He is a natural centre-back but can also play right-back if needed.

He was bought by Hoffenheim from Feyenoord in 2018, and he rejected Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in order to do so, remarking: “I didn’t want to go to a club that would then have turned me on loan for years.”

Melayro made his Bundesliga debut for Hoffenheim at the age of just 18 years and two days, starting in a win over Mainz and becoming the youngest Dutch player to make his debut in the German top flight.

He also has international pedigree, having progressed up the ranks of the Netherlands youth sides and also having won the U17 European Championship as protagonist in 2019, beating Italy in the final.

A bright talent with a bright future that could be the latest exciting addition to Milan’s young machine.

Tags AC Milan Melayro Bogarde
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