GdS: Theo friendship and outcast status – Real Madrid playmaker could return to Milan | OneFootball

AC Milan are evaluating their options for the January window and according to a report, they could make a move for Brahim Diaz. The playmaker, who has become an outcast at Real Madrid, could thus return to the Rossoneri.

As reported by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Milan and Diaz have maintained a great relationship since his departure in 2023. First joining on a one-year loan in 2020, the Rossoneri then extended it for two years and enjoyed three good years with the player.

Given the situation in the standings, Milan are now evaluating potential signings in January and given the lack of playing time at Real Madrid, Diaz has emerged as an option.

Potential return and outcast status

As the newspaper starts, Theo Hernandez would be the first to welcome back Diaz with a big hug, seeing as the two are best friends. Indeed, the attacking midfielder has many good memories from his time at Milan, both on and off the pitch.

In 124 games, he scored 18 goals including the decisive one against Tottenham in the 2022-23 Champions League adventure. Furthermore, he certainly knew how to run and sacrifice himself for the team, a characteristic that cannot be overstated.

So, could he make a return to the club? As Gazzetta dello Sport states, it’s indeed an idea that exists even if it’s distant at the moment. On the other hand, Diaz has become more of an outcast under Carlo Ancelotti, with just two starts in the league this season and none in the Champions League.

Last season, he bagged 12 goals in 44 games and clearly looked like an improved player, scoring some bangers. However, these are minutes and goals – as said – that have abruptly reduced. So much so that Diaz is now on Ancelotti’s list of potential redundancies ahead of the window.

Milan keeping tabs

Paulo Fonseca has fielded Christian Pulisic in the No.10 role recently and while it has worked, there have been questions regarding the defensive phase. With Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor also available for the attacking trident, there is clearly not a lack of options.

As such, per the newspaper, Milan are in no hurry on this front and will only seriously evaluate Diaz if a good opportunity presents itself. More concrete updates could arrive in the coming weeks, as we get closer to January, but for now the Rossoneri are just keeping tabs.

From Diaz’s perspective, at the age of 25, he wants to have consistency and feel comfortable. He certainly enjoyed his time at Milan and a return could thus be the perfect solution for all parties, especially given the friendship with Theo Hernandez. A loan is unlikely, though.