Leandro Paredes Rejects AC Milan, Stays with Boca Juniors

Leandro Paredes has reportedly declined an offer from AC Milan, choosing to stay at Boca Juniors.

AC Milan had reportedly reached out to the midfielder directly, expressing their interest and proposing a fee to bring him back to Serie A. However, Paredes expressed his contentment at Boca Juniors and his lack of intention to leave, effectively closing the door on a potential transfer for the time being.

Milan's Interest in Paredes

Milan's pursuit of Paredes intensified after his strong performances at the 2026 World Cup, where the 32-year-old was a key player for Argentina as they reached the final. This form seemingly brought him back to Milan's attention, leading to a significant offer being made to Boca Juniors. While specific financial details were not disclosed, reports from both Argentina and Italy indicated that Milan had made concrete steps to secure his return to Serie A.

Paredes possesses prior European experience from his stints at Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, and a loan spell at Juventus. His decorated career also includes a World Cup triumph in 2022 and a Copa América title, making him an attractive prospect for manager Ruben Amorim's squad rebuilding efforts.

Boca Juniors' Position

Paredes rejoined Boca Juniors from Roma last summer for a reported fee of approximately €3 million. His contract with Boca runs until the end of 2028, and he is considered a senior figure within the squad. These factors provided Boca Juniors with significant leverage, even before Paredes made his preference clear. Any potential departure would have been complex and costly, and Paredes' decision has now settled the matter for the foreseeable future, irrespective of Milan's financial capacity.

AC Milan's Midfield Needs

Paredes' rejection does not alleviate the underlying need for AC Milan to reshape their midfield, which was the initial motivation behind their interest. Several players, including Warren Bondo, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Youssouf Fofana, Ardon Jashari, and Samuele Ricci, have been linked with potential exits this summer, either through sales or loans. Milan is believed to require space in their squad and budget before proceeding with further midfield acquisitions.

Meanwhile, players like Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, and Christian Comotto are considered more likely to remain part of Ruben Amorim's plans.

Future Midfield Strategy for AC Milan

With Paredes no longer a target, AC Milan's search for midfield reinforcements effectively restarts. The questions surrounding the potential departures of Bondo, Musah, Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Jashari, and Ricci remain unresolved. Any movements in these areas will influence what Amorim can achieve before the transfer window closes and who will ultimately replace the World Cup finalist that Milan failed to lure away from Boca Juniors.