Milan Nears €50m Moreira Deal as Leão Faces Roster Battle After 4-2 Win

AC Milan secured a 4-2 victory over Manchester United while preparing a €50 million move for Belgian international Diego Moreira.

AC Milan secured a 4-2 victory over Manchester United this past weekend, a match that Rafael Leão missed due to injury. Following the result, manager Ruben Amorim stated that the Portuguese forward faces a significant battle to reclaim his position in the starting lineup. While Leão previously expressed interest in a summer departure and a future desire to play in the Premier League, the Serie A club has not yet received any formal bids for his services. Despite recent links to Galatasaray, the 2026 revamp at the San Siro could see the attacker remain with the squad.

Key details

The Italian side is currently finalizing the acquisition of Belgian international Diego Moreira from Strasbourg. The transfer fee is reported to be in the region of €50 million for the versatile left-sided player. Moreira is already in Milan to undergo his medical examinations, with the club expecting to officially confirm the signing this Wednesday. The player originally joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 before spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Lyon. Strasbourg, a member of the BlueCo organization alongside Chelsea, signed him permanently in August 2024.

Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is currently the subject of interest from Portuguese champions FC Porto. The 25-year-old joined Milan from Feyenoord in February 2025 but endured a difficult debut season hampered by injuries. Porto has explored both loan and permanent transfer possibilities for the forward, though they have not yet submitted a formal bid to Milan officials. Gimenez currently sits lower in Amorim’s attacking hierarchy following the arrival of Portugal international striker Gonçalo Ramos.

The arrival of Gonçalo Ramos has altered the selection dynamics for the upcoming term, though sources indicate Ramos is expected to move on during the current transfer window. This shift occurs as the club manages the fitness of Leão, who was sidelined during the four-goal performance against Manchester United. The Serie A side continues its restructuring process as the August 18, 2026, deadline approaches. The potential retention of Leão comes despite his earlier public comments regarding a move away from the San Siro earlier this summer.

Latest developments

Amorim’s comments following the weekend victory emphasize a competitive environment for the existing attackers. With Moreira’s €50m arrival imminent, the club is reinforcing the left side of the pitch. The Belgian's history includes development within the Benfica youth system before his move to the Premier League and subsequent spells in Ligue 1. As the Wednesday confirmation date for Moreira nears, the club remains focused on resolving the futures of both Gimenez and Leão amid interest from the Primeira Liga and the Turkish Süper Lig.

Strategic planning at the San Siro involves balancing the wage bill while integrating high-value assets like the incoming Belgian winger. The €50 million valuation reflects a significant investment in youth, as the club looks to move past the injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign. Internal competition has intensified since the February 2025 window, particularly with the influx of talent from the Eredivisie and Ligue 1. Management remains steadfast in their valuation of Leão, refusing to entertain low-ball offers from the Süper Lig despite the player's previous vocalization of a desire for a new challenge.

As the medical staff monitors Leão's recovery timeline, the tactical setup under Amorim has proven effective even in the absence of the star winger. The four goals scored against Premier League opposition demonstrated a clinical edge that was often missing during the previous season. This offensive output provides the coaching staff with leverage when negotiating the roles of returning starters. The integration of Moreira is expected to provide immediate pace on the flanks, offering a different profile than the current options available in the first-team squad. With the transfer window nearing its conclusion, the Rossoneri are prioritizing the finalization of the Moreira paperwork to ensure he is registered before the next domestic fixture.