AC Milan line up Empoli sensation Tommaso Baldanzi as Brahim Diaz replacement

AC Milan have identified Empoli midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi as a potential replacement for exit-linked Brahim Diaz, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Diaz has made an astounding impact for Milan this season after Charles De Ketelaere, the highly anticipated signing from Club Brugge last summer, struggled to adapt to Serie A.

The Spanish playmaker has racked up six goals and four assists in all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Rossoneri’s qualification to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, his future at San Siro is hanging in the balance, with his loan spell from Real Madrid expiring come the summer.

Although Milan can make his deal permanent for around €22 million, Los Blancos are keen on summoning him back to the Spanish capital and planning to hand him a brand new deal.

Madrid have been left impressed by the development of Diaz and want him to be part of the first-team plans next season.

Rossoneri are soon expected to enter talks with Madrid to negotiate a deal for Diaz, but the Italian giants have also started to look for the alternatives.

Baldanzi, 20, is one of the rising stars in Serie A this season, having racked up four goals in 22 appearances, including the winning strike against Inter Milan at the start of the year.

Milan are expected to face competition from fellow Serie A rivals Napoli for Baldanzi, who could cost around €20m.

Stefano Pioli has deployed Ismael Bennacer at the No.10 position in recent games, but the Italian gaffer is keen to bolster the options in that position.

Following the victory over Lecce, Milan have moved to fourth in the Serie A table, with AS Roma and Inter Milan trailing them.