Rodrigo Caio, who will be vying for a gold medal in the Olympics against Germany this Sunday in Rio, is a target for Italian giants AC Milan. Milan and Sevilla both want to sign the central defender from Brazillian club Sao Paulo.
After their failure to acquire Rodrigo Bentancur from Boca Juniors, Milan are in pursuit of yet another Rodrigo from South America, this time from Brazil. Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Milan are trying to force an agreement with Sao Paulo by leaving the defender at the club for six months, before permanently signing him.
The Curious Case of AC Milan
Milan have tasted failure repeatedly on the transfer market this year. From Milan Badelj, Marko Pjaca to Borja Valero and Bentancur, Milan’s transfer window has been massively disappointing. They have signed relative unknowns like Jose Sosa, former Napoli player Gustavo Gomez and Serie B sensation Gianluca Lapadula.
Earlier in August, Milan failed to sign Villarreal’s Matteo Mussacchio, which saw them sign Paraguayan Gustavo Gomez from Lanus. However, it seems that their pursuit for a central defender is not over yet as Milan are looking to strike a potential January deal for the defender, which the Brazilian club is more likely to accept. Sevilla are reportedly also in the running but would want the player in Spain right after the Rio Olympics, according to Sky (via Football-Italia).
The Non EU Spot
A potential January deal will be beneficial to both the parties involved as Milan do not have any remaining non EU spot. Caio will get his EU passport in 15 days, according to Di Marzio. With the arrival of Jose Sosa, who occupies Milan’s remaining non EU spot, along with Gustavo Gomez, it is now almost impossible for Milan to sign another non EU player.
Caio was heavily courted by Lazio, who eventually gave up their pursuit after the Marcelo Bielsa fiasco. Caio’s versatility is well known to Brazilians. He can play in the centre of the defence, on the flanks as well as in the holding midfield role. He would be a valuable addition to the Milan midfield, which lacks a proper holding midfielder after the departure of Nigel De Jong to MLS.
