Report: AC Milan set to jettison former Celtic loanee Diego Laxalt

By Euan Davidson

May 29, 2021

According to Italian publication Tuttosport, AC Milan have lost patience with former Celtic left-back Diego Laxalt.

Laxalt spent the 20-21 season on loan with the Bhoys. Initially, he seemed the energetic left-winger Celtic needed. Seemingly a good fit for Neil Lennon’s 3-5-2, the Uruguayan impressed early on. However, when Celtic continually played with a back-four, the international was caught out. In the 2-0 loss against Rangers, Laxalt was removed at half-time by interim boss John Kennedy [BBC].

Now, Italian outlets are claiming Laxalt also faces the axe from his parent club. As shared by Sempre Milan, via Tuttosport, Milan have “no plans” to use the Uruguayan defender, hoping to move him on quickly.

Yesterday, Diego Laxalt caused a stir by photographing one his cars [Daily Record]. It’s a red one. That was enough to have pundits and fans alike wondering if that indicated a return to AC Milan.

In the Scottish Premiership’s 20-21 season, Laxalt averaged 1.9 fouls per 90, more than his average number of tackles (1.7) [WhoScored?]. Likeable, though he was, the AC Milan man had largely free reign of an entire flank for Celtic. However, he didn’t manage a single assist.

Diego Laxalt in action for Celtic / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

“Friendly boy”, but former Celtic man Diego Laxalt probably regrets Glasgow move

Of course, there are mitigating factors. Anyone who moves country, let alone club during a global pandemic is due a bit of leeway. Laxalt will have been far from his family, and streaming Fortnite isn’t quite the same as human contact. He was also victim to shifting formations, rotation and a language barrier.

All of those things are important. And, again, he wasn’t exactly a hate figure; the 24-times capped international came across well. In his maiden interview in English, Laxalt said [Celtic FC]:

“I think it’s a great group of boys. Not just the players, also everyone at the club has made me really, really welcome. I get on well with everyone, I think I’m a friendly guy. A friendly boy. Maybe sometimes when the Scottish accent is really difficult to understand, but it’s ok.”

On the pitch, though, it wasn’t a particularly good fit. If anything positive can be taken from his spell, it’s that Greg Taylor shone from having direct competition in the Uruguayan. The Scottish left-back made Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2020 after a season in which he objectively improved.

It’s a sad state of affairs for Diego Laxalt. However, in a nomadic career, we’re sure he’ll have little issue finding a new club.

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