The issue of Rafael Leao’s contract continues to be discussed, with AC Milan interested in pushing the deadline back.
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Calciomercato.com report that Leao wants to ‘keep surfing’ at Milan for ‘many years to come’. Since the end of January, the forward and his entourage have been talking to Igli Tare (the two have an excellent relationship) about a possible contract extension.
Both the player and the club want to move forward together, and so a contract extension has gone from an idea to a renewal negotiation, all while Leao improved his season tally to nine goals on Sunday in Cremona.
Differences with 2023
Leao loves Milan. The relationship has had its ups and downs, but there are no obvious obstacles like in 2023, when months and months of meetings with lawyers, agents and family members were needed to resolve the issue of the €22m fine that was later paid to Sporting Lisbon.
The 2023 renewal was a significant one for Leao: the No.10 shirt and a quadrupled salary of €5.5m net per year plus bonuses followed. Rafa became the highest-paid player in the squad and the face of a club that has entrusted the Portuguese to take them back to the top of Europe.
The idea this time is to increase the fixed base to €6m net per season, including bonuses. Leao and his family will listen to Milan’s proposal and make a final decision in the coming weeks. Tare is pushing for the renewal done with the blessing of Allegri, who also has a great relationship with Leao.
One aspect that deserves further consideration is the €175m release clause in Leao’s current contract. The most realistic option is to keep it as it is, even though the player’s entourage want to remove it. As for the timing, the parties want it done before the season ends, though there is no huge urgency.