“Dybala dreams of playing for Milan with Allegri, Rafael Leão’s future at stake.”

Paulo Dybala is preparing for a possible explosive return to Serie A, this time with his sights set on AC Milan, under the management of his former Juventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri. The news broke on Wednesday amidst a flurry of rumors that promise to shake up the summer transfer market, with the Argentine star potentially being the key to a revolution in the Rossoneri’s attack.

According to information reported by Corriere della Sera, via the portal Calciomercato.com, AC Milan is considering a deep restructuring of its offensive line, and Dybala has emerged as a viable option. However, the realization of this desire depends on several crucial factors, notably the situation of Rafael Leão.

Leão, Milan’s top scorer in Serie A this season with nine goals, and sharing the top of the scoring chart in all competitions with ten goals (alongside Christian Pulisic), has been far from the form that propelled him to stardom. His performance has been hampered by physical issues, particularly a pubalgia that has affected his fitness. Additionally, the tactical shift—from playing as a winger in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation to a forward in a 3-5-2—seems to have hindered his output.

The patience of Milan fans is wearing thin, with loud boos directed at Leão during the humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Udinese. Rumors suggest that the club may indeed place the Portuguese international on the market this summer, despite the €175 million release clause being considered unattainable for potential buyers.

If Leão leaves, AC Milan will need to invest heavily to maintain their offensive competitiveness. The search for a traditional striker is already underway, with names like Robert Lewandowski – available at the end of his contract with Barcelona – and Dusan Vlahovic, who is in negotiations with Juventus, being closely monitored.

As for Dybala, his future in Rome is far from decided. The Argentine’s contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, and there has yet to be any official confirmation regarding a renewal or his departure. The forward has received offers from European and South American clubs, including from Argentina and Brazil. However, Dybala’s desire is to stay in Italy and continue in Europe if he leaves Roma.

This is where AC Milan comes into play, with the Argentine showing interest in reuniting with Allegri, who previously managed him at Juventus. Before moving to Roma, Dybala had been linked with Milan, further fueling rumors of a transfer that could transform the rossonero attack.

Additionally, the player’s recent injury history, particularly over the last two seasons, leads him to accept a performance-based contract, meaning his salary would be contingent on the number of matches played and goals scored. This strategy could be advantageous for both parties, minimizing risks and maximizing motivation.

The stage is set for a hot summer at AC Milan, where Leão’s stay or departure could trigger the arrival of a big name like Dybala. Fans want answers, and the market promises to be explosive.

Stay tuned for upcoming updates, as Italian football is about to experience a transfer window filled with surprises and decisions that could shape AC Milan’s future at the top of Serie A.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.