Tomorrow night’s game against Spurs is another opportunity for Rafael Leao to prove himself on the biggest stages as uncertainty continues to surround his future.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how Milan responded to the stories of a breakdown in talks between Leao and the management by insisting that ‘the dialogue continues in a serene and professional atmosphere’. Then, lawyer Ted Dimula spoke of ‘misleading information’ adding that the ‘player’s priority hasn’t changed, he wants to stay at Milan’.
Then Paolo Maldini gave an update before Friday’s game and said: “Today we are where we were before. There is no scheduled meeting with the agent.” He did add that a video call means the discussion can continue at any time.
Leao has not had the best of starts to 2023 as the team haven’t in general, with those who attend Milanello daily suggesting that he is feeling the fatigue of a long World Cup campaign, so much so that his bursting runs have become more rare.
Pioli’s choices also demonstrate this as he left him out of the line-up for the loss against Sassuolo and the derby against Inter, but tomorrow the Portuguese should be in the XI for what could well be his ‘last great show at San Siro in the Rossoneri shirt’, as per the paper.
Of course Leao could yet renew and Milan may well qualify for the quarter-finals and there will be another red carpet, but the ‘last dance’ scenario still remains a possibility and it could be against a team he may play more regularly if a Premier League move materialised.
Rafa has never scored against an English club and, among other things, in this miserable 2023 he has only scored twice, in Salerno and Lecce. Two goals in nine games or, to be more precise, one every 331 minutes.
I have written 6 months ago they should pay Leao what he asked and get it over with. After being Serie A MVP, bringing the title and knowing he has to pay a 17M€ fine to Sporting Milan lowballs the offer and he barely gets offered a bit over 50% more than Origi and Giroud after months of negotiations. I would also be disappointed and leave for free, to be completely honest. If you don’t value him as a player why should he value the club differently and go out of his way to play for less and pay the fine?
So, Milan should pay Leao net 7 million. That is gross possible 11 million if growth decree is applied. Than Milan should pay 8 million in fine, that is extra 1,7 million per year, if Milan pay full 18 million fine, that is 3,2 million per year and possible 1,5 million per year bonuses. So only to make happy Leao, Milan should pay in between 14,2 million per year and 16,4.
But than Milan must pay to his father, lawyer and to his agent. We will probably reach 20 million per year, only to sign 1 player, for 5 year contract it is 100 million euros.
Milan with Leao does not have big success this year. Milan is struggling in the League, Milan passed Champions League group, difficult, and lost coppa and supercoppa.
So in my opinion the best move for Milan is to sell Leao in summer. He probably can get 11 million net elsewhere and Milan can get at least 50 million for him, up to max 100 million, if there will be couple of teams interested. It is better to bring 4 other players who will get 4 million gross per year than to risk 20 million p/y only with Leao.
Leao had all this season to make much more difference but he stayed on the same level. There is no guarantee that Leao will upgrade his play in future so it is better for both parties to sell in summer.
No, why are you making stuff up? The thing is that from what was written Leao did not ask Milan to pay the fine but asked for wages that will allow him to cover it properly. Milan can’t attract a player like Leao at this moment, only someone 3 years past that level or someone who will be on that level in 2 years. Your sarcastic nonsense and the last 2 sentences just tells me you’re an idiot. I have written why he didn’t play well, I mean Nesta, Capello, Ibra etc, all said the same thing. But you don’t understand that…
What did Milan decide, to negotiate and try to save 1M per year. Any good player would be offended when they saw what kind of idiots are paid more than half of his wages and not deserving it. That affects how you play and your motivation. Of course it happened, that is why he should have gotten a contract earlier and I’m sure he would play much better and have much more motivation seeing the club values him…I can draw it for you if you have more questions. Being unhappy makes you play worse, is that simple enough for you?
But if you are so smart, tell us how much is wage that will fit to pay his debt?
Milan offered 6,6 net plus 1,5 in bonuses?
That is enough or not?
How much Milan need to pay to Leao for his signature, write in numbers.
I bet you are not so smart because if you are you would read first my comment where is written minimum Leao wage to cover everything for Leao entourage. You dumb fu*k.
You’re wasting your time trying to smack some sense into his holiness. 🙂
“The thing is that from what was written Leao did not ask Milan to pay the fine but asked for wages that will allow him to cover it properly” LOL, where did you learn how to do math? Isn’t it the same thing to spread the Sporting fine into his salary as it is to pay it off for him as sperate sum? What is the difference if Leao signs for 7m euro salary for 5 years and Milan pays half of his 19m euro fine for the same period (9.50m / 5 years = 1.9m per year) for total of 8.9m (7m salary + 1.9m fine per year), so let’s just say 9m total vs. just paying him 9m salary per year “so he can cover it properly”?
“Milan lowballs the offer”
LOL! Milan – the club richer than PSG – lowballing Leao. ROFL. Oh, Jeesus, You crack me up. 😀
Hey Bro! I like your idea! Why don’t we just pay every player 100 million a year and then we can sign Messi, Haaland, Mbappe, etc…
Why aren’t they doing this bro? You should be football CEO and just all around world financial leader.
I don’t know. Pay Rafa 100 million and he signs. Sounds simple to me.
Daaamn! Why didn’t M&M think of that?! They are sooo stupid. =)
I don’t know why I’ve got this proclivity in me to dislike players who garner so much attention with protracted contract renewals. Just be plain and tell them that you don’t want to play for the club cuz the money ain’t enough so they can put you on the market as soon as possible. Stop giving false hopes only to run down the contract and leave for free. If you don’t want to be here, man up and tell Maldini so we can get whatever out of you. I’d like to see him stroll on the pitch when he moves to the EPL particularly MANCITY and whether their fans will tolerate that the way we do.
Of course they won’t but how many players like Leao do you expect to see at Milan? Man City fans are used to getting a better player if someone is not good in a position. We got Messias for RW. Of course you will tolerate more to Leao when you have mediocre players on some other positions…
The same Man City that just got accused of over 100 financial violations and risks being expelled from the league?
Can’t be. Since FFP is just a myth and clubs can do whatever they feel like when it comes to finances – and especially how they report them. Right, Juve & City? Right people here who encourage Milan to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND!?