The last time Leonardo shopped in behalf of AC Milan in Brazil he brought Kaka, Pato and Thiago Silva at San Siro. Now the technical director is again on a mission in his homeland.
Tuttosport reveals today all the possible transfer targets of AC Milan in the upcoming shopping session, all talents of Brazilian origin that evidently Leonardo and his collaborators have been following for some time. The technical director of the Rossoneri is attracted primarily by a 21-year-old playmaker who is already driving crazy half of Europe: Lucas Paqueta of Flamengo, regular starter with Brazil U-20 is in high demand in the old continent.
He has a 48 million euro release clause and contacts with Milan seem to have begun some time ago, as admitted by the president of Flamengo, Kleber Leite, who in July declared: “AC Milan are about to sell a big player and then they will close the purchase of Paqueta for 50 million euros “. It didn’t happen so but perhaps it has only been postponed.
Another Brazilian finished on the list of Leonardo is the defender Rodrigo Caio, 25 year old centre back of the Sao Paolo. A talented player that has been linked with the Rossoneri for a long time but that has not yet managed to make the definite leap in quality. Another Sao Paolo defender of high interest is Iago Maidana, the 22 year old centre back is currently on loan at Atletico Mineiro and is also a target of Roma and Sassuolo. Fluminense centre forward Pedro is another interesting player being scouted by Leonardo. The 21 year old striker has just renewed his contract but he may change squad already in January.
Flamengo’s young forward Lincoln was already followed by Massimiliano Mirabelli and AC Milan scouts in recent months. He too has a release clause of 50 million euros like his teammate Paqueta and is being touted as one of the best young stars in Brazil. The last target of Leonardo is Vitinho, another striker. The 24 year old has a past in Russia with CSKA Moscow, where he landed in 2013. This summer he has finally returned in Brazil at Flamengo. Between 2015 and 2016 he played with Porto Alegre International for two seasons on loan.
