Rafael Leao’s performances for AC Milan are attracting interest from top clubs once again, with Arsenal the latest club linked.
As CaughtOffside report, Leao has been a central figure for Milan since his return from injury, with five goal contributions (four of them goals) in his last five games. Under Massimiliano Allegri he has been playing more as a striker rather than as a winger, and it seems to be working thus far.
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They add that Milan seem willing to reward Leao with a new contract. It would be a two or three-year extension to secure his services beyond the current 2028 deadline, and there would be a pay rise included too from the €5m net per year (plus €2m in potential bonuses) he currently gets.
Despite the club’s confidence, ‘insiders suggest that the Rossoneri would still consider a transfer if an extraordinary offer arrived’, as per the source. Mikel Arteta is a ‘long-time admirer’ of Leao, and believes he could compliment Bukayo Saka by playing on the other flank.
Milan are ‘in no hurry to sell’ however because the management ‘view Leão as a cornerstone of their long-term plans and a symbol of their sporting identity’.
What Moretto said
Matteo Moretto stated in a recent YouTube video that Milan want to extend Leao’s contract, which is a sign of their faith in him. However, no player in the squad is truly unsellable.
“We’re talking about one of the best players in Serie A and in Europe: Leao has shown he has the qualities to be among the best in his position. There’s also news about his future and his contract. Leao is increasingly a key player, increasingly a driving force in Allegri’s Milan.
“Seven league games, four goals, and one assist. Leao is increasingly decisive, a player who provides assists, like the one for Pavlovic, and also a penalty taker. There’s not much to talk about in the transfer market surrounding Leao because Milan had already toyed with the idea of extending the Portuguese’s contract this summer.
“In recent weeks, this idea has resurfaced in the minds of Rossoneri executives. I want to explain how AC Milan is truly intent on extending Leao’s contract, which expires in 2028. An extension that would recognise the player’s performance on the pitch and the fact that Leao, despite some interest, has always given Milan top priority and respect over the summer.
“They’ve told me about a contract that could be extended for another two or three years, so that’s still a matter of discussion. However, the key point is that this type of renewal would still be an extension… In football and at Milan, I find it difficult to say that there are players who are unsellable and untouchable.
“Milan would certainly have to consider and evaluate a significant offer if they were to arrive, but they would do so for Leao just like they would for any other player. There’s no doubt about that. It’s also a question of transfer market rules. But Milan’s current intention is certainly to extend Leao’s contract.
“In the past, there’s been a lot of talk about Barcelona or English clubs, but those are issues to be evaluated at the end of the year.”
Arteta must be blind. He should ask a few Milan “fans” from Sempre Milan comments how bad Leao is…
You’re right man! Those so-called Milan “fans” who talk bad about Leao are mostly americans who just want to continue overrating and overhyping their avarage player who happens to play for Milan. It’s a given yes, we have a lot of avarage players in our Milan talking about the whole defensive line who can’t mark a player in the box to save their lives! Can’t snatch the ball out of anybody without committing a foul. Anyhow, at least we have Leao, the only world class player we have now + old Modric of course
You said it all, infact the only Milan player that can singlehandedly deliver the scudetto, the one that brings San Siro to full capacity week in week out.
I guess his race might be part of the hatred.
None new! Their whole bloodline and civilization did the same thing. Hate on Superior “fully Melanin” DNA cuz it has all the natural talent. They came to us to Kemet Kosh known now as Egypt + Sudan, they came to us fresh out of those cold caves in europe, for us to teach them how to live like human being not a 4 legged animal. When they left back home they built their first civilization ever just by trying to copy ours. Then came back for war !!! Just like father just like son. Only a bum would hate on a natural talent like Leao. A bum
You complain about racism and then act as one yourself. Racism doesn’t look good on anyone, white, black or whatever color. You damn hypocrite.
Martin, id*ots always do that. The only thing you can do is laugh at them and ridicule them as they don’t deserve better. This guy thinks I’ll agree with him just because we might agree on a single point. You know he is super intelligent.
Ridicule is exactly what he and others deserve when they behave like that and that is also what he got. I like Leao and always has but criticizing a player doesn’t align with racism either at least not for the majority of people demanding more from him as he is by far our best athlete and therefore the demands are higher as they also should be. I just cant stand idiots with his sort of argumentation.
Last sentence sounded a bit vague, argumentation of his that is 😀
Let’s be honest about a couple of things.
The first is that Rafa truly is world class on the offensive half of the field. And he can lead a team the team to a Scudetto, but hardly by himself. And he can also sink a team in the Table, below European football.
The second is that Allegri seems to have his attention, and he is better in many ways this season.
The third, away from the article and to DeMoor’s comment, is a question of how you would even know that the “fans” who talk bad about Rafa are mostly Americans? But go ahead and pile on about Pulisic being an average player. It tears at your credibility.
U wouldn’t know that even if I told u! u just a fan. U never had any talent to play this sport on any level let alone on a pro level. Maybe going back to ur little baseball would be ur best option at this point. If Milan decided to sell ur average little american player just watch the type of clubs who go for him buy him! The answer is Mediocre clubs. When that american company bought Milan, they bought this dude to sell (shirts) in america. Who was going for him with Milan ? A mid club in France named Lion.
Whatever dude! As I said u wouldn’t know natural talent if it fell on your head.
Yes, you were the new Messi but you got an arrow to the knee from a white man. Right? Beat it loser, nobody wants to hear your lies.
Because he is a mo*on. I mean you could spot this from another galaxy.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 The drugs are really good in your country.
Rafael Leao is aimless doesn’t help the team and doesn’t know what he’s playing for, he doesn’t compete for anything nor top scorers, no nothing Milan management must sell him now. So aimless player.
Arsenal just bought Eze for like 90 mil and he plays more or less the same left wing space they would likely put Rafa.
Lot of money for one of those guys to not start.