La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin has offered an update on where things stand regarding Rafae Leao’s renewal.
There has been a lot of speculation over the last couple of days about Leao and whether he might be closer than ever to renewing his contract, with reports coming from Spain and Portugal suggesting that the obstacle of the fine owed to Sporting CP might soon be resolved.
Relevo first stated that Milan have reached a verbal agreement with Leao’s entourage over a contract extension that would see the club pay the fine and the winger earn €5m net per season, then Portuguese newspaper Record then stated that Lille will take on the full payment of the fine.
Bianchin spoke in an interview with MilanNews about a number of topics from the upcoming two legs against Napoli to potential summer targets, and as part of it he was asked about where things are with Leao’s renewal.
What are the percentages on Leao’s renewal?
“Complicated. Massara said 50/50 with a certain optimism because there is growing optimism. It is possible to be optimistic because Milan are, but there are some problems to solve that haven’t even been ironed out yet.
“I believe that a bookmaker would rate a ‘no’ lower than a ‘yes’ for a renewal by June 30, but that doesn’t mean that Milan won’t try. I believe, however, that we will have to wait at least for April 18, when they returnsfrom Napoli.
“First nothing will move, neither for Leao nor for Diaz. Then in the last 15 days of April I don’t expect a decision, but a meeting. We will understand something about both Leao and Diaz.”
What do you know about the Record news regarding Leao’s fine?
“That Lille will pay the entire compensation does not appear to me as a decision taken. Sporting, through O Jogo, made it clear that they wanted 45 million which was the original price requested for Leao and not just the 16 foreseen by the fine.
“Something is evidently happening and the clubs are talking to each other, but I wouldn’t say too much about the fact that it’s all resolved on the fine. Milan never wanted to pay that sum and, as Massara said, they’re still a bit of a spectator.”
Just stfu untill someone signs him