CM: Gullit’s praise and interest from England – Milan must act decisively over Leao’s future | OneFootball

Rafael Leao is continuing to show himself to be one of the most exciting young forwards in the world, and AC Milan face a difficult mission to renew him.

Leao served an assist for his former team-mate at Milan – Diogo Dalot – in Portugal’s 4-0 away win against the Czech Republic. Their head coach Fernando Santos played Leao in trident with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernando Silva, and then replaced him in the second half as Diogo Jota came on and scored.

Calciomercato.com reports that Leao is attracting the eyes of everyone including Ruud Gullit who spoke alongside Arrigo Sacchi at the Trento Sport Festival, and the former Dutch international labelled Leao a ‘phenomenon’.

Leao currently earns €2m net per season and Milan are willing to increase that amount substantially to extend the deadline beyond June 2024. In the summer, his agent Jorge Mendes had asked for €7m net per season, a figure that risks increasing further over time.

What has filtered is that the player’s entourage would like the Rossoneri to contribute to paying the €19m fine due to Sporting CP as compensation for having unilaterally terminated his contract with the Lisbon club in 2018 before moving to Lille.

Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara will do everything possible to try get him to extend, but in the event of non-renewal, Milan will almost be forced to sell it on the 2023 summer market, in order not to risk losing him on a free transfer the following year. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester City are lurking.

More Stories / Exclusive

Everything you need to know about San Siro and Sesto in Milan’s stadium pursuit

24 September 2022, 20:00

SM: Thiaw, Vranckx and Dest anonymous so far – Pioli’s plan to integrate each

8 September 2022, 11:54

SM: Cardinale to meet Pioli and the squad at Milanello after witnessing derby win

3 September 2022, 21:54