Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus are reportedly set for a three-way battle to sign Mattia De Sciglio from AC Milan in the summer.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Real Madrid have set their sights on Mattia De Sciglio in the summer transfer window. But, Los Blancos will have Liverpool and Juventus for company, with TransferMarketWeb suggesting that the two clubs are interested in the AC Milan defender as well.
De Sciglio has bounced back to regain his status as one of the most integral members in the AC Milan squad following the arrival of Vincenzo Montella at San Siro after two frustrating campaigns. Having turned in some very impressive performances in Euro 2016, the 24-year-old has now gone from strength to strength this season.
Having established himself as a mainstay in defence for the Rossoneri, De Sciglio has played 25 matches in all competitions for his club, providing a solid presence at the back while also chipping in with a couple of assists.
But while the Italy international has enjoyed a consistent season with Milan, it is looking likely that he will leave the club at the end of the season. That is because talks on a renewal have not progressed at all as the player is keen on a summer exit from San Siro.
With a little over a year remaining on his deal with Milan, the Italian giants are expected to cash in on him as well, and the latest set of reports suggest that there will be no dearth of interest in him when the transfer window opens in June.
Real Madrid are one of the biggest suitors for De Sciglio with Zinedine Zidane is keen to recruit a full-back in the summer. Fabio Coentrao and Danilo are expected to leave the club at the end of the season according to the Don Balor report and the Real Madrid boss needs a solution on both sides of defence.
This is where De Sciglio comes in, with the versatile defender equally adept at playing as a right-back as well as a left-back. Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez is a fan of the defender as well and is reportedly ready to sanction a move for him in the summer.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have registered an interest in De Sciglio as well with Jurgen Klopp keen to strengthen his side’s defence in the summer. Depth and defensive solidity have both been big issues at the back, and De Sciglio’s recruitment can solve both in the full-back department.
His acquisition will especially bolster the left side of defence. With Liverpool’s burden next season set to be increased, Klopp will need two quality options at left-back. And with Alberto Moreno set to be offloaded in the summer, De Sciglio can be just the solution that the Liverpool boss is looking for.
Juventus are the third club in the race to sign De Sciglio, who could solve some problems on the right side of the defence for the Bianconeri. Dani Alves and Stephan Lichtsteiner are both on the wrong side of 30 and are in the twilight years of their respective careers.
Massimiliano Allegri, who handed De Sciglio his debut in 2011, is believed to be a huge admirer of his talents and is eyeing a reunion with his former protege. In fact, he tried signing the full-back last summer as well before a move failed to materialise.
De Sciglio is all of 24, and still has his best years ahead of him. So, it goes without saying that he can provide a long-term solution in defence to all three of the interested parties.
Milan’s preference is for the player to join the club outside Italy and it remains to be seen if that hands Real Madrid and Liverpool any advantage in this three-way battle.
