AC Milan have wrapped up their third signing of the summer. They have reached an agreement with Strasbourg for Diego Moreira, a 22-year-old left-footed attacking winger, a Belgian international born in 2004 who was at the World Cup. The deal is done for an operation worth around €50 million, with bonuses and a percentage on a future resale. Medicals are scheduled for tomorrow in Milan, for the second most expensive signing in the history of the Diavolo, after Goncalo Ramos. He will arrive in the city at midday.
Mendes in midfield
Strasbourg's left-sided winger is set to bolster Ruben Amorim's options: a deal has been agreed, with his agent Jorge Mendes pulling the strings. The 22-year-old Belgian wide man wanted to join AC Milan despite interest from major clubs in England, Germany and Italy. Exceptionally versatile, Moreira can play on both flanks as a wing-back and is a perfect fit for Amorim's system.
Closed by Cardinale
The working group's choice, he is hugely admired by Amorim for his technical qualities, he has convinced Bobby Gardiner and Tiago Estevao, the data analysts who are leading figures in the new era, he has the approval of Hendrik Almstadt, and above all it is a deal that Gerry Cardinale wanted to complete personally for a young, talented player who can grow a great deal and become a key figure.
Where will he play?
Moreira will be the left wing-back on the same side as Estupinan, or one of the two players behind Gonçalo Ramos. In that role, call it a second striker or attacking midfielder, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Saelemaekers, Alphadjo Cissè, and, if needed, Rabiot can all play there. He has talent, dribbling, creativity and versatility. Across his career he has played right across the left side and also on the right, where he can cut inside on his left foot and go for goal.
Who is Moreira and that social media clue
Moreira was born in Liege while his father, former Guinea-Bissau international Almami Moreira, was playing for Standard Liege. He holds Belgian and Portuguese citizenship and was also eligible for Guinea-Bissau and Germany, but chose to represent Belgium after playing for Portugal Under-21s. On his mother's side, he is the grandson of Helmut Graf, a former Austrian footballer who played for the club from 1976 to 1982. After coming through the youth ranks at Standard Liege, he played for Benfica, Chelsea and Lyon before moving to Strasbourg, precisely in synergy with the Blues. Two weeks ago, while on holiday, he had trained wearing a Milan shirt, a hint at what his future would be.
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