Home » CM: Leao facing potential curtain call in Cagliari game – the options for his future
Rafael Leao of AC Milan

CM: Leao facing potential curtain call in Cagliari game – the options for his future

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Sunday’s game against Cagliari at San Siro could really bring an end to Rafael Leao’s time with AC Milan, a report claims.

Calciomercato.com confirm that the final game of 2025-26 could also be Leao’s last match in a Milan shirt. Over the past few months things seem to have soured between the player, the club and even the fans, with poor performances met by jeers which clearly affected him.


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Last dance?

Having missed the game against Genoa due to suspension, Leao is expected to start the match against the Sardinian side but it is not a guarantee at the moment. Everything will depend on the training sessions at Milanello during the week, with Christopher Nkunku having hit a bit of form.

As a reminder, Leao has a €175m release clause in his deal. It’s clear that no team in the world would pay the entire clause: his value didn’t even come close to that figure during the glories of the 2021-22 Scudetto.

His recent performances have undoubtedly lowered his market value, so he could now be sold for a much lower price. These performances on the pitch have inevitably put any potential contract renewal talks on hold.

Milan had already made initial contact with the Portuguese player’s entourage last fall to establish the basis for an extension of his existing agreement. The salary could have gone from €7m including bonuses to €7m fixed, with the term extended to 2030 or 2031.

Since then, due to his inconsistency on the pitch and the uncertainties surrounding the Champions League and next year’s club structure, contacts have stalled.

Where could Rafa go?

What price would Milan consider? The current rumours speak of €50-60m. Anything below that means the Diavolo would not even begin any negotiations, also to avoid the possibility of generating a capital loss in the accounts.

If Lea ‘s future lies far from Milan, there are essentially three scenarios to consider. The first is Barcelona, ​​a team that has always admired the Portuguese and have already approached his entourage in the past.

Second: the Premier League, with Chelsea potentially considering him again and Manchester United already making moves to try to interact with the Rossoneri by bringing in some technical counterparts.

Last, but not least, the path to Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal, led by Simone Inzaghi and with his friend Theo Hernandez still there. The Saudis are constantly pressing, but the former Lille star is unlikely to want to leave Europe and top-flight football for now.

All of these will become options to take into consideration, especially if the match against Cagliari will be Leao’s last in a Milan shirt.

Tags AC Milan Rafael Leao

15 Comments

  1. His clause is worth 120 million after extension

    And he was rejected by 3 clubs for valuation offer of 70 to 80 million now.

    But Milan should play easy game especially with scenario that Milan reach uefa champions league.

    Because one bad season doesn’t mean that in next 2 to 3 seasons he cant reach his form, just like Pulisic get game play in Milan.

    In scenario he become rotational player – Milan needs to agree more realistic salary with him

    1. “In scenario he become rotational player –”

      Rotational player? With his attitude? LOL. Never going to happen.

  2. And on other sites it was reported that Milan contacted Arsenal, Barca & ManU and none of them showed any interest in buying Leao. So… A mid-table EPL team or the Saudis then? 🤷‍♂️

    1. And Milan didn’t contact anyone. You really need someone to tell you this? Milan didn’t contact a single club in the past 5 years to ask them, “hey, would you buy our player?”.

      What is wrong with you? 😀

      1. What’s wrong with me? Mostly kids like you. But that’s OK as I’m good at filtering out the useless BS you produce.

        1. What, you have multiple “kids” like me inside you? 😀 Great reply, I figured you have issues but I didn’t think it is that bad. Anyhow, you believe that Ac Milan called Arsenal, United and Barcelona and asked them if they want to buy Leao? 😀

          Brilliant!

          1. I see you’re one of those kids who actually think they’re “special” just because their moms said so. Oh well, good for you then. At least someone thinks so. 🤦‍♂️

            I do feel bad for everyone who has to be in contact with you IRL though. Can’t imagine the pain & struggles they go through every day.

          2. No, it was your mom. She said you’re special and you need help, and not to be that hard on you. I understand you can’t admit you wrote complete nonsense, that is the part your mom mentioned. Being special.

    2. I think you need to have someone beside you, to explain things you read. And how credible they are. A real necessity for you.

    3. Well our coach stifled his output all season, played him out of position and he suffered for it. And we’re wondering why interest in him might have waned?

  3. Leao doesn’t have the mindset winning at all cost. He’s satisfied with just showing up.
    It’s sad but the hard truth.

    1. He isn’t a leader. Satisfied with just showing up would be true if he wasn’t angry about every miss or dribbling he doesn’t make. But he isn’t the one to pull the whole team forward and will never be. That is why Milan only won when Ibrahimovic and Kjaer joined. That is why Allegri wants experienced players in his team.

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