Football super-agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly mooted a potential swap deal between respective Manchester City and AC Milan clients Ruben Dias and Rafael Leao, according to new claims from Italian media.
This could be a HUGE season for Ruben Dias at Manchester City!
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Ruben Dias was linked with a sensational switch to Real Madrid in the opening weeks of the ongoing summer transfer window, where he would have reunited with now-former Manchester City teammate, friend and compatriot, Bernardo Silva.
However, recent reports throughout the English press have relayed that Dias is preparing for another season at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City embark on life beyond Pep Guardiola.
Enzo Maresca has succeeded Guardiola as Manchester City manager and is expected to appoint Ruben Dias as the new first-team captain, with former skipper Bernardo Silva joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Dias wore the armband in Manchester City's first competitive game under Maresca last weekend, as the Blues were given a brutal reality check in a 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Premier League champions Arsenal.
Mendes explores possible Dias and Leao swap deal
Now, as reported by Sportmediaset in Italy and relayed by Football Italia, football super-agent Jorge Mendes is said to be assessing a potential swap deal between Ruben Dias and AC Milan's Rafael Leao, plus cash.
Leao is contracted at the San Siro until the summer of 2028 and has been strongly linked with an exit since last summer, though Milan have found it difficult to attract suitors willing to match their €50 million valuation of the 27-year-old forward.
Meanwhile, Ruben Dias signed a fresh Manchester City deal running until the summer of 2029 with the option of an additional year only last summer and is expected to be the cornerstone of Enzo Maresca's squad in the seasons to come.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was believed to be pushing Los Blancos officials to sign Dias in a transitional summer in the Spanish capital, but those links have cooled and the centre-half has been focussed on City since his return to pre-season.
However, Jorge Mendes is claimed to have spent all of Wednesday afternoon at AC Milan's facilities and is keen to broker a deal between two of his clients to swap destinations between Italy and England.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has brutally reflected on his side’s lacklustre performance in a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.cityxtra.co.ukRuben Dias Issues Damning Assessment of Man City’s Community Shield Defeat to Arsenal
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has brutally reflected on his side’s lacklustre performance in a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Could Ruben Dias leave Man City in the final weeks of the transfer window?
It is highly unlikely at this stage that Manchester City would be willing to entertain any approach for Ruben Dias, having already parted ways with all of John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji from the centre of defence this summer.
Dias is set to be confirmed as Manchester City captain, and in a summer that has seen the Blues lose a series of senior, influential dressing room figures - the latest being Rodri to Barcelona - Enzo Maresca cannot afford the Portuguese defender following through the exit door.
Manchester City welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League season, with Ruben Dias expected to partner one of Josko Gvardiol or Abdukodir Khusanov in central defence against the Cherries.