RR: Alex Jimenez set for Milan debut against Cagliari – background and arrival from Real Madrid | OneFootball

AC Milan are set to hand a first-team debut to Alex Jimenez this evening against Cagliari as Stefano Pioli gets ready to rotate his squad for the Coppa Italia clash.

Jimenez is just 18 years old and he could be one of two 18-year-olds starting the match, as he should be joined in the defence by Jan-Carlo Simic who has enjoyed a handful of first-team appearances this season due to the defensive injury crisis.

There could also be two 19-year-olds starting in the form of Luka Romero and Chaka Traore.

As highlighted by Radio Rossonera, Jimenez arrived at Milan in the summer of 2023 from Spanish giants Real Madrid. He joined on a loan deal but took some time to start impressing his coaches.

He has now been on the first-team bench six times since October and now he is ready to make his debut.

Given Jimenez was the highest-paid player in Real Madrid’s academy and had played 13 times for Real Madrid Castilla, his departure raised eyebrows.

It seems he left the club due to a poor relationship with Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez Blanco and Alvaro Arbeloa, coach of the academy side.

As was reported by Relevo, Milan have the option to buy Jimenez at the end of the loan deal by coughing up €5m.

Milan would be willing to do that as things stand, but Real Madrid did insert a buy-back clause and it is not clear what that figure is.