AC Milan to sign second Brazil star after Lucas Paqueta
AC Milan sporting director remains busy in Brazil and, after Lucas Paqueta, Rodrigo Caio could be the next local star to join the Rossoneri.
AC Milan made the much expected important signing of January two months in advance. Last Tuesday, sporting director Leonardo closed the negotiation with Flamengo and Lucas Paqueta will wear the Red and Black jersey for next year. However, the 21 year old attacking midfielder may not be the only Brazilian player to grace San Siro in January.
Paqueta’s transfer cost Milan 35 million euros plus bonuses, a high figure but not a lot considering that the promising starlet had a 50 million release clause. The method of payment agreed by the two clubs, with four installments, will have only a 5 million impact on the budget. That allows Leonardo to make at least another important purchase while still respecting UEFA’s Financial Fair Play parameters. According to Calciomercato, the Rossoneri have targeted Rodrigo Caio, another important name in Brazil.
Rodrigo Caio in fact is an old target of the Rossoneri. The 25 year old defender has played his entire career with San Paolo and now seems ready for a new adventure abroad. The Red and Blacks have been monitoring Caio since Galliani’s time but a move has never materialized. The centre back combines excellent physicality with impressive speed and precise interventions, even though in recent years his form has not been constant.
Leonardo is aware that Milan need a new reinforcement in defense, given that Mateo Musacchio has requests from several Premier League clubs while Mattia Caldara still must fit well into the Rossoneri schemes. Furthermore, Cristian Zapata who is destined to leave the club at the end of the season is not a reliable choice. Relations between Milan and San Paolo are very good given the past business transactions. The 2016 Olympic golden medalist is believed to have a 15 million euros release clause.
