AC Milan Make Contact with Paulinho as Ralf Rangnick Closes in on Head Coach Role
By Ali Rampling
The impending arrival of Ralf Rangnick at AC Milan will see the club continue to foster young exciting talent, with contact already made with the representatives of 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward Paulinho.
The appointment of Rangnick at San Siro is inching ever closer, and the Red Bull Head of Sport and Development is keen to stamp his mark on the club after years of underachievement.
90min have been informed by Nicolò Schira that Milan have taken the first steps in making contact with the entourage of Paulinho.
The approach and potential deal would be welcomed by Rangnick, who would be attempting to build a raw, young and talented Milan side.
So far, there has just been contact made between the two parties and nothing further. However, Milan are huge admirers of the young Brazilian, with his ever improving ability in front of goal catching their attention this season.
Paulinho had found the net three times in seven Bundesliga appearances during the campaign prior to the suspension of football.
The club see Paulinho to have the potential to captivate the Milan faithful in the same way that numerous Brazilian superstars have over the years.
The likes of Kaka, Ronaldo and Cafu have all graced the San Siro turf since the turn of the century.
Paulinho was being pursued by a selection of European football's elite when he opted to sign for Leverkusen from boyhood club Vasco da Gama in 2018.
The Bundesliga outfit paid €20m to bring him to the club, and he still has three years left to run on the five year deal he signed back in 2018.
Should Milan land the teenager, he will likely be playing under Rangnick at San Siro, as he edges closer to officially being appointed head coach.
Rangnick guided RB Leipzig from the German fourth tier to the Champions League within seven years, undertaking various roles at the club including sporting director and head coach.