Rio de Janeiro, Oct 30 (IANS): Italian football club AC Milan is reportedly preparing a move to off-load Brazilian winger Robinho in exchange for highly rated Vasco da Gama defender Dede.

The 'Rossoneri' are understood to be willing to accommodate Robinho's desire to return to Brazil having decided the 28-year-old former Real Madrid and Manchester City man is surplus to their needs, reports Xinhua.

The report says Milan considers Dede as "the heir apparent to Thiago Silva," who left the club last summer to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The Rio de Janeiro outfit is said to have placed a 15 million euro price tag on the 24-year-old, who could leave during the upcoming January transfer window.

Dede has played six matches for Brazil's national team since making his international debut last year.

He is considered by coach Mano Menezes as one of the prime candidates - alongside Chelsea's David Luiz - to partner Thiago Silva in the heart of Brazil's defence at the 2014 World Cup.

Robinho has not represented Brazil since scoring in the team's 2-3 loss to Germany in Stuttgart in Aug 2011.