AC Milan appear to be getting closer to an agreement in the negotiations with Rafael Leao. However, a lot depends on the Sporting fine and whether Lille are willing to pay part or the full amount of it.
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After wrongfully terminating his contract with Sporting in 2018, Leao has been ordered to pay €16.5m in damages (now just over €20m with interest) and Lille are also involved in the situation. In recent days, reports have suggested that the French side might be willing to pay the whole amount.
As highlighted by Pietro Mazzara in his latest editorial for MilanNews, Lille paying part or the entire fine would be beneficial ‘for everyone’. They have a 15% resale clause and Leao renewing his deal with Milan would thus guarantee a big sum down the line.
Without a renewal, Leao will leave for a discounted price in the summer and Lille would still be on the hook for part of the fine anyway. Paying it off instead would facilitate that Milan renewal and also lay the foundations for a heftier sale.
