CM: Lecce star keeps shining – the background on Milan’s move and possible January bid

Tiago Gabriel continues to star for Lecce, and some further background on AC Milan’s summer pursuit has emerged.

As Calciomercato.com write, Gabriel got himself on the scoresheet for the second time this season during Sunday’s huge win over Monza. The Salento side won 3-2 to move up to 12th in the table, beating a team also among the favourites for relegation.

Tiago shines again: The truth about Milan

It was another impressive performance from the Portuguese central defender beyond the headed goal, which came from an inventive Ilic corner. It’s his ability to lead the defence with order and intelligence that continues to turn heads.

His defensive statistics so far in Serie A read as follows: 2 tackles won per game, 0.8 interceptions, 1.5 balls recovered, 0.3 shots blocked, only 0.5 dribbles conceded, 3.8 defensive closures on average per game and no errors leading to an opposition goal.

The sporting director Trinchera spoke in a press conference after the window shut about a big club who came in for Gabriel, and Calciomercato.com confirm that the team in question is Milan.

“The conditions weren’t right to conclude a deal that would be advantageous for the club. We’re a solid club that can afford the luxury of not selling a key player. I spoke with him and yesterday with Jorge Mendes. Both parties are fully committed.

“We agreed to discuss the contract at the end of the transfer window if he had stayed. He had the opportunity to join a big club that would change his life, but this wasn’t the right time. Now we’re back on track. We need to fight with the right spirit, and Tiago will be a key player.”

The Rossoneri management were ready to present an offer of €20m in total, an amount deemed insufficient. In January the pursuit could be rekindled, as Ruben Amorim wants someone who can play both as a middle and outside centre-back in his three-man defence.

There has been a lot of talk about Goncalo Inacio and even the idea of the Ruben Dias ‘dream’, but the excellent relations with Jorge Mendes and Gestifute could lead Milan to accelerate for Tiago Gabriel instead.

A deal worth less than €30m is unlikely given his start to the season. Lecce have no intention of giving anyone discounts, are already considering activating the automatic renewal clause for another two seasons, which would move his contractual deadline back to 2029.

Lecce knows they have a diamond in their hands and will do everything to keep him: whoever wants him – including Milan – will have to negotiate the price requested by them