Valencia offer deal for Milan full-back: Why Real Madrid also have a say | OneFootball

LaLiga outfit Valencia have reportedly expressed an interest in signing 19-year-old Milan full-back Alex Jimenez according to reports in Italy, but the Rossoneri are reluctant to let the teenager go despite a lack of minutes under Paulo Fonseca this season.

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Valencia made a ‘concrete inquiry’ regarding Jimenez’s availability.

Monday’s report suggests that Valencia were seeking a loan deal with a possible option to buy, which Milan are reportedly reluctant to accept as they still see the 19-year-old as an important part of their future plans.

Jimenez has largely been based with the Milan Futuro side in 2024-25, although there are reports that he will be with the first team for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia match at home against Sassuolo.

Jimenez has scored twice from 11 Serie C matches this season, plus two goals from three outings in the Coppa Serie C, but is yet to appear in the first-team under Fonseca. He had made three substitute appearances in Serie A under Stefano Pioli last season.

Rafael Leao and Alex Jimenez shake hands at full-time following the team’s victory in the Serie A TIM match between against SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 11, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Why Real Madrid have a say in Milan’s dealings with Alex Jimenez

Jimenez joined Milan from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 on loan with an option to make the move permanent, which was activated at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Milan reportedly paid around €5m to make the move permanent.

At the time of the move, Madrid negotiated a buy-back option with the Rossoneri for an undisclosed fee, but one that is understood to be higher than the €5m that Milan paid last summer.

Madrid’s buy-back option effectively acts as a right of first refusal, so if Valencia were to come back in with an offer that appeases Milan, Los Blancos would have the option to match it if they so please.