Real Madrid rumored to be interested in Milan striker Patrick Cutrone

Hoo boy.

Now that AC Milan have looked good, here comes the rumors about all the players that are attracting interest from other teams.

The latest rumor is that Real Madrid are interested in signing Patrick Cutrone. The dubious link reportedly comes from the fact that Madrid manager Julen Lupetegui was a fan of Cutrone back when Lupetegui was coaching at FC Porto and the then 15 year-old Cutrone was part of the youth set up at Milan.

Get used to rumors like these.

Calcio Mercato mentions that Cutrone might be tempted to move in pursuit of playing time, but just how much playing time would Cutrone get at Madrid, exactly? Milan cleared out the striker position at the club, sending Nikola Kalinic and Andre Silva out of the club and made Carlos Bacca’s move to Villarreal permanent. Yes, the club brought in Gonzalo Higuain, but there is no way that Higuain is going to play every single minute up front for Milan this season.

Cutrone is second on the depth chart at Milan but if he moved to Madrid, he wouldn’t be anywhere the starting XI. Cutrone’s probably going to be some starts in the UEFA League or when Gennaro Gattuso rotates for midweek or Coppa Italia matches as well.

Milan aren’t broke anymore, and aren’t in a position where they have to sell anyone, even to the likes of Madrid or Barcelona. The new owners have made it a priority to restore Milan to its former glory, if for no other reason than because a Milan in the Champions League and challenging for the Scudetto is much more valuable than a Milan mired in mid-table mediocrity.

There is no reason to believe this rumor is anything more than idle chatter to pass the time while club football takes a break for the UEFA Nations League and the international break.