A journalist has suggested that AC Milan could offer Rafael Leao a short-term deal in order to guard themselves against the idea of him leaving for free or in a cut-price deal.
Leao’s deal with Milan will expire in 2024 and in recent weeks there have been question marks over the likelihood that he will extend his stay with the Rossoneri, because there are a number of obstacles that must be overcome.
There is the €16.5m fine (plus interest) due to his old club Sporting CP after the legal cause was brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while the demands of his agent Jorge Mendes are expected to be high given Leao’s status as Serie A MVP.
The well-known Milan journalist Franco Ordine has written a column for MilanNews during which he talks about the future of Leao, and how Paolo Maldini explained that for weeks there have been ongoing negotiations to try and reach an agreement.
“Certainly the club will raise the amount dedicated to the Portuguese but I think the difference can be made by the duration of the renewal,” he said.
“By reducing the duration to the two-year period 2024-25, we can hope for a positive response from Mendes who has established a particular relationship with the new Chelsea shareholder.”