O Jogo: Leao’s father, intermediary and former coach behind Al-Hilal’s €100m+ swoop | OneFootball

Rumours suggesting that Rafael Leao is of interest to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are being pushed by his father and agent, Antonio Leao.

Reports emerged in Portugal from O Jogo (via Milan News) which confirmed there is serious interest from Al Hilal in AC Milan’s Leao.

The suggestion is that the Saudi Arabian side are not phased by the €175m release clause that Leao has in his contract, which no European club is expected to get close to this summer given the poor season that the forward endured.

Al Hilal would be able to offer Leao a far greater salary than what he receives in Milan and they think he can help them win the expanded Club World Cup.

The report suggests that Antonio Leao, Rafael’s agent and father, is central to the negotiations and they could intensify in the coming weeks.

Another key part of the potential deal may be Mario Rui, a Portuguese agent with links to the Saudi Royal Family who helped bring Neymar Jr and Otavio to Al Hilal last summer. As well as that, Al Hilal’s coach is the Portuguese Jorge Jesus, who was Leao’s first coach at Sporting at the start of his career.