Messaggero: Milan interested in €15m Real Betis forward after breakout season

A new name has emerged in AC Milan’s pursuit of summer reinforcement as Real Betis talent Assane Diao is on their radar, according to a report.

According to what is being reported by Il Messaggero, Geoffrey Moncada and his team of scouts like what they have seen from Diao, who is able to play on both wings, but also as a centre-forward or as a second striker.

The Spaniard of Senegalese origins was the revelation last season under Manuel Pellegrini with four goals in 28 games across LaLiga, the Europa League, the Conference League and the Copa del Rey, despite being just 18 years of age.

He would cost €15m and is also liked by Lazio in Serie A and Brentford in the Premier League. The Rossoneri would initially recruit him for Milan Futuro but the idea is that he would very quickly be promoted to the first team.

However, we must add that any notion of the teenager accepting a role in a team playing in Serie C seems unrealistic given he has already broken out in a top flight league.

The phone lines between Milan and Real Betis could heat up a lot in the coming days given that midfielder Johnny Cardoso is also apparently a target if Youssouf Fofana doesn’t arrive.