Tiago Gabriel is the next big thing at Lecce, summer move looks likely

Tiago Gabriel is the next big thing at Lecce, summer move looks likely

As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Lecce centre-back Tiago Gabriel is attracting attention of the Serie A elite, with Milan and Juve monitoring his situation.

The 21-year-old is about to complete his first full season in Apulia since his €1.25m move from Portuguese side Estrela da Amadora in January last year, but already he has become a mainstay in the Salentini backline.

In Serie A, the Portugal U21 international has featured in every game for Lecce barring one. His presence at the back has ensured the team have far from the worst defensive record in the league this season despite their lowly position in the league table.

Despite being 17th in Serie A, with relegation still a mathematical possibility, a recent uptick in form and a four-point gap from 18th-place Cremonese means survival is very likely for Eusebio Di Francesco’s men.

Despite moving to Lecce only last year, Gabriel only has one year remaining on his €330,000-per-year contract. A €25m expected price tag means his suitors have very modest numbers to match and improve.

Tiago Gabriel’s price tag makes a jump likely

The financial reality of the Italian top flight in comparison with the rest of Europe, in particular the Premier League, means the top sides in the league often have to operate in a tier below when it comes to acquisitions, with even mid-table English sides able to match and financially out-muscle ’s recent league winners.