AC Milan will soon have to properly tackle Rafael Leao’s renewal but it will not be straightforward and should not arrive before the World Cup, a report claims.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews), after the recent declarations by Paolo Maldini it was hoped that the period before the World Cup in Qatar could be the ideal time to agree a renewal, but 15 days after he spoke things do not seem to have moved forward.
In recent weeks there have been talks between the parties as Milan talked with Leao’s agent Jorge Mendes and with the lawyer who obtained the player’s power of attorney from the winger’s father, Tim Dimvula. What seems certain is the fact that the Portuguese wants to stay at Milan, where he feels comfortable.
Milan would have considerably raise the salary to around €6.5m net per season plus bonuses, even if the demand seems slightly higher. The real crux however is the €19m compensation owed to Sporting CP jointly by Leao and Lille.
There is currently a €150m release clause in Leao’s deal and it must be decided if that stays, is changed or is removed entirely, while the position of the two agents and the family in general must be established.
After Diogo Jota’s injury it seems as though Leao will play on the left for Portugal in support of Ronaldo at the World Cup, which will become a real showcase ahead of the January window, when teams like Chelsea could offer €100m+.
For the Rossoneri, however, Leao is considered unavailable at any amount and they will try to renew him until the end, while everything seems to be postponed to 2023.
