AC Milan prefer De Winter for half Leoni price of €40m

Following this morning’s report, Italian media are increasingly convinced Milan will go for Koni De Winter to replace Newcastle-bound Malick Thiaw, hoping to do a deal for just €20m.

The initial impression when selling Thiaw to Newcastle United for over €40m including add-ons was that they would reinvest all of it in signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

De Winter leaps into lead for Milan defence

However, after La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested this morning that they were leaning towards De Winter, multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia and Tuttomercatoweb all confirm the primary target is the Genoa defender.

This is because he’d only cost half as much, circa €18-20m compared to Parma’s €40m asking price for 18-year-old Leoni.

There would be an added cut of the sell on fee too.

De Winter is also more experienced and coach Max Allegri knows him from their time at Juventus.

Juve can also benefit, because they will receive 20 per cent of the future sale fee, as part of their agreement for the €8m transfer in 2024.

There is no shortage of interest in the Belgium international, including from Serie A rivals Inter, but also the Premier League with Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur linked.