Milan linked to Coentrão. Could De Sciglio be headed to Real Madrid?

Fábio Coentrão, the Portuguese international and current Real Madrid defender, has been linked to Milan for several months now. The 26 year-old doesn't appear to be unsettled with his current situation. However, in the modern era of football, players come and go for reasons sometimes undefined.

Coentrão is a player Milan could surely use as Abate appears to be headed to another club this summer with Lazio interested in the Italian international. Milan has very few options that can be deployed as a left or right-back. Coentrão provides pace, attacking ability on counters and a good amount of experience at one of the world's most successful clubs. A serviceable option for Seedorf to use in multiple formations, Coentrão is the type of player Milan needs going forward to reconstruct a back-line that, in the past, has been full of world-class players. Coentrão would likely have a price tag of around €15-20 million, which leads into the next part of this write-up: Mattia De Sciglio

21 year-old Milan RB/LB Mattia De Sciglio is one of, if not, the best young defender at his position

in Europe. His talent, ability and rise through the Milan youth academy have made him a fan-favorite and a player Milan fans would love to see retire at the club. De Sciglio is expected to be in Prandelli's starting Italian squad this summer for the World Cup and he has certainly earned the spot. However, his performance has caught the attention of Europe as Real Madrid are reportedly set to make a large offer for him this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are heavily interested in acquiring De Sciglio as they are reportedly ready to bid around €20mil for his services. Of course, Milan would love to keep De Sciglio as they see him as the starting LB/RB for years to come. However, money talks and if Galliani receives a lucrative offer for De Sciglio this summer, he could be departing.

Milan like Coentrão and Madrid like De Sciglio. Could a swap +cash deal be in the pipeline? Don't rule out anything. Milan typically don't sell a player that hasn't reached peak value or full potential. (Think El Shaarawy last summer). However, De Sciglio has performed like a veteran in his prime and his value may be at its highest level. In addition, Seedorf has started looking for talent he wants to bring in this summer and Davide Santon remains a potential target so perhaps management has already thought about this scenario?

Do I want Milan to sell De Sciglio? Of course not. Is it out of the question to say he could be sold this summer? No. Read with caution.....and a tissue.