Moretto: Milan were on verge of stealing Real Madrid talent until Xabi Alonso’s instruction

AC Milan were interested in repeating the Alex Jimenez coup on Real Madrid by signing Jesús Fortea, according to Matteo Moretto.

In July 2023, Milan signed the right-back Jimenez from Real Madrid Castilla on a loan with option to buy deal, and it was made permanent 12 months later. He was quickly promoted to the senior squad after starting with Milan Futuro, and showed some very bright signs.

The Spaniard would leave the Rossoneri in the summer window that has just closed, swapping the red and black stripes of Milan for the red and black stripes of Bournemouth, in a loan with conditional obligation to buy operation.

‘The Rossoneri were really close’

Now, the journalist Matteo Moretto has shared an interesting behind-the-scenes look at Milan’s plans on his YouTube channel. He revealed that there is another teenage Real Madrid talent that the directors are closely watching.

“Jesús Fortea, a Real Madrid right-back born in 2007, was on the cards in May and June, and there was a strong possibility he would join Milan,” he said (via MilanNews).

“The Rossoneri were really close to reaching an agreement, but Xabi Alonso strongly insisted on the young right-back’s contract extension, meaning Milan were out.”