At AC Milan, Rafael Leao’s future remains a major conundrum and there could yet be a late move for the winger.
As Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) recall this morning, a few weeks ago Leao declared his seven-year Milan adventure over and made it clear that he wants to change clubs in order to try a new experience in a new league.
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However, the paper states that he now appears to have changed his mind and would like to stay. Unfortunately for him, the club’s management have a different opinion and would prefer to sell him, not only for tactical reasons but also because of his comments.
To facilitate his transfer, the Rossoneri are willing to offer a discount on his transfer fee. While they initially asked for €50-60m to sell, €40-45m might be enough now to sign the former Lille man.
After the friendly against Manchester United, which Leao missed due to injury, Amorim made his thoughts on things clear and suggested that a starting spot is far from a given.
“Leao is our player. I’ve already said we’re happy to have him, he’s a really valuable player. So we’ll see, but he has to fight. I think Cisse, with the way he played, will make things difficult,” he said.
“Saelemaekers has changed positions, it will be tough. We also have Pulisic who is returning. So we have a lot of players who will fight for a place.”
Do t pretend it’s anything to do with his comments; it’s just business – we thought he was a sellable asset that could raise funds to invest elsewhere. He thought he’d be sought after by top clubs around Europe. Turns out everyone was wrong.
There are murmurs in England that Leeds are interested (which I bet Okafor would be thrilled by) but his salary expectation isn’t affordable (for a club that plays Calvert-Lewin the same salary as Leao currently gets, the implication is he’s looking for an increase).
The power here is with Rafa; if he chooses to stay, we can’t afford not to use him as a squad player and he gets even more leverage as his contract winds down. The only threat to him is reputational if he’s not getting picked at all, but he will definitely get game time IMO.
If it’s just business then Cardinale doesn’t know what he is doing or not ready to invest, rushing to pay over 74m euros for a bench player isn’t smart, I think ego is part of the problem, he probably is looking for a Leao’s apology over his outburst which IMO started from Mr Cardinale himself…..”what is good for the goose is good for the gander”…..Cardinale casted the first stone, unfortunately the fans are divided over selling Leao, for me if he must sell he should stick to minimum of 60m otherwise use him and let’s bury the hatchet, after all he remains the only game changer any day anytime, consistency or no consistency
That “bench player” is already scoring goals, and more importantly with his head, which our “strikers” last season seemed singly incapable of doing. I’m not sure why people have an issue with Ramos because he was a “bench player”. The benches at clubs like PSG, City, Arsenal, Madrid, etc., could walk onto our first eleven. Time will tell with Ramos, but to write him off before he’s even played an official minute is about as nuts as insisting Leao is a world class player.
No one wrote Ramos off, the fact remains he is a bench player for club and country, before you say C.Ronaldo, he already past his prime, yet Ramos is a bench player to a grandpa. Does that mean he is not good, I will say No, is he worth 74m? No. It’s a shame what the Italian league has turn to, dumping site for unwanted player in the other remaining top 5-league
I cant believe we paid more for Ramos than PSG paid for Ferran Torres… Imagine if we got Ferran Torres, Instead. we got so ripped off.
His stock is low. The best thing would be for him to play, score and assist then an EPL club may come in for him.
Let’s not just throw all our eggs in one basket by relying on the performance of a kid in one game. The demands of first team football over the course of a season is completely different from a single preseason game. We don’t know if he can even maintain that level for a long time. At least with players of Leao’s level we know what he can do over the course of a season. I’m not saying not to sell him. But we seem to be caught up in euphoria somewhat here after one game
Leao’s problem is his attitude.
And the coach hints at it – ,,he has to fight for his place”.
We have learned that he’s not the one to change his mentality, he’s simply not able to do that 😞
He picked up a muscular problem during the warm up against Man Utd.?!
Even the coach is not convinced of it !!
He loves rapp music and fashion.
Rapha, go and do what you really love.
I wish you all the best in the world.
What a wasted talent!!!!
Tnx Leao but time is you go. I wish you all best and thank you for great dribling and scoring,but now time is over.
Sell him even for less 40mil also i will sell Pulisic too and bring 2 new fresh guys,both Leao and Pulisic cant gave us football what we need.
Newcastle package deal: Leao, Nkunku, Fofana and Tomori for 100-120M; would become instantly their biggest fan lmao
Estupinan, Bondo, Teraccianno, Musah have me worried more… who would want any of these guys.
Newcastle wants to win, though. That package will bring relegation.
Typical Leao, he thought after making that comment any top club from Madrid,Barcelona etc would make their offer hahaha, overrated af and hopefully we can sell him asap cuz im sick of him already.
We need bulldog players. The Gattuso, Tevez, Salah, Suarez, Tonali, Rabiot type of players. The guys that will run until their out of breath, get physical, and arent afraid to mis-judge something and end up eating dirt. That is not Leao, and it never will be.
Leao is on the Balotelli end of the spectrum, which are the guys who are more worried about looking ‘cool’ and refined at all times. That kind of player is never successful long-term, and I really do mean never.