Jorge Mendes' Bold Swap: Leao to Manchester City, Dias to Milan
Jorge Mendes is attempting one of the most audacious moves of the summer: a swap that would send Rafael Leao to Manchester City and bring Ruben Dias to Milan, with the Rossoneri also adding cash to the deal, according to Sport Mediaset.
Mendes at the heart of Milan’s rebuild
Milan’s market this summer has a clear common thread – Mendes. The super agent has effectively become the architect of their new project, having already overseen the arrival of coach Ruben Amorim, pushed through the signing of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain, and now facilitated the deal for Diego Moreira from RC Strasbourg.
On this latest front, Mendes reportedly spent the entire afternoon at Casa Milan, the club’s headquarters, working on what would be his boldest proposal yet.
Leao’s future on the line
Leao’s situation is driving the talks. His contract runs until 2028, but Milan are actively searching for a new solution as the market shows little appetite for the €50m plus add-ons the club want for the Portuguese forward.
With no club stepping up to meet that valuation, Mendes is exploring a different route: using Leao as a key part of a blockbuster exchange with Manchester City.
Ruben Dias the defensive prize
The target is Ruben Dias, Portugal’s defensive leader and one of Manchester City’s pillars since his arrival from Benfica in 2020 for €71.6m. He turned 29 in May and remains under contract at the Etihad until June 2029, a deal that underlines how central he is to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Sport Mediaset report that Mendes’ proposal would see Leao head to Manchester, with Milan also adding cash, in order to secure Dias as the cornerstone of Amorim’s new back line.
Milan have already moved in that department, bringing in Mario Gila from Lazio, but the club still want further reinforcements who can immediately interpret Amorim’s ideas and system. Dias, with his leadership and tactical intelligence, fits that profile perfectly.
Competition and complications
The operation, though, would be anything but simple. Dias has also been linked with Real Madrid this summer, adding heavyweight competition to any attempt to prise him away from City.
Milan’s vision is clear: reshape the squad around Amorim with Mendes as the key broker, even if it means sacrificing a star like Leao. Whether City are prepared to part with one of their defensive cornerstones in exchange for the Rossoneri’s mercurial winger is the question that could define both clubs’ transfer windows.
