Milan and Fulham step up interest in Lecce defender Tiago Gabriel

Milan and Fulham are interested in signing 21-year-old Lecce central defender Tiago Gabriel, according to TransferFeed.

Lecce are seeking at least €25m for the Portugal international, having already rejected a €20m offer from Milan. Further contact between the clubs is expected during the day, with the Italian side continuing to pursue a deal and Fulham also monitoring the situation.

Tiago Gabriel could therefore leave Lecce for another club, although his current contract gives the Serie A side a strong negotiating position. The defender’s agreement with Lecce runs until the middle of 2027, meaning the club are not under immediate pressure to sell.

Milan’s initial proposal fell short of Lecce’s valuation, with the €5m difference between the bid and the asking price currently preventing an agreement. TransferFeed reports that discussions are set to continue, and new approaches are expected as both interested clubs assess whether a deal can be reached.

The reported interest comes despite Tiago Gabriel having made only three appearances for Lecce in all competitions this season. He has scored once in those matches.

Lecce’s demand of €25m represents the minimum figure they want for the defender. Milan’s rejected offer was worth €20m, while Fulham’s position in the reported pursuit has not been specified.

The next stage of negotiations will determine whether either club is prepared to meet Lecce’s valuation or improve on Milan’s opening proposal. For now, the defender remains under contract with Lecce, with the Italian club retaining control of the situation as talks develop.

Tiago Gabriel’s contract length and Lecce’s refusal to accept Milan’s first bid mean that any move is likely to depend on the interested clubs’ willingness to meet the asking price. With further contact expected, the transfer situation could become clearer during the day.