AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has claimed that he was ‘never afraid’ of losing Rafael Leao despite the rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea.
Calciomercato.com are among the sources that reported how the Milan management resisted the temptation to sell Leao to Chelsea. The Blues were ready to offer close to €150m to sign him (close to his release clause) but never obtained an opening from Milan.
Pioli did his pre-match press conference at Milanello today on the eve of tomorrow’s derby against Inter – a game Leao will hope to be decisive in – and he was asked by one journalist if he was at any point worried that the Portuguese winger might depart.
“The rumours are spread by you and then ask me if I was afraid (smiles). I was never afraid of losing him either because of the boy’s attitude or because of what the club told me,” he said (via MilanNews).
Now, the mission is the renewal of the former Lille star given that there is a strong desire to keep him as a pillar moving forward.
Translation: “I already know he’s leaving for free in 2 years’ time, it’s the only thing that makes financial sense for him now”
He’s not leaving for free. He’ll probably leave next summer for €100+ million and I expect he’ll renew with a release clause.
Let’s not mistake what Maldini/Massara/Moncada have done since they have arrived. CBs of Romagnoli, Mussachio, Zapata, and Duarte are replaced with Kjaer, Tomori, Kalulu, and now Thiaw. Bonaventura/Suso/Castilejo are now replaced with Leao/Rebic/Messias.
Yes, it would be nice to get money for some that have left or will leave but I will take the memory of our 19th Scudetto and return to Champions League as a better sign of things to come with their leadership and oversight. If they want to let Leao leave for free, they must know something we don’t or have a plan to make it work.
The offer was just garbage rumour invented by media fueled by Mendes.
DiMarzo and Romano reported it – so no it wasn’t fake
If we win champion league maybe his price can be up to 150m euro . But if just scudetto or coppa then no club willing to pay him 100m euro