Rafael Leao’s father has met with a Saudi emissary to begin discussions over a potential move to Al-Hilal, according to a report from Portugal.
According to what is being reported by Record (via Calciomercato.com) in Portugal, Leao has been linked to several clubs in Saudi Arabia and his father has already taken a significant first step towards the Middle East.
The Rossoneri winger does not have just one suitor because PSG have also been on his trail for some time, having to replace Kylian Mbappé who has become a Real Madrid player, but his father Antonio has already met a Saudi emissary to start a possible negotiation with the Al-Hilal.
Despite this summit, no formal offer has been presented for the former Lille star who has a release clause of €175m, something that protects Milan and gives them leverage in negotiations.
There has also been nothing in the way of reports to suggest Leao would move to Saudi Arabia at this stage in his career.
Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported this morning that Paulo Fonseca spoke with Leao during Portugal’s training camp and he is planning to build his Milan side around him, putting him at the centre of his plans.
They can either pay the release clause and convince him to go there, or buzz off.
“Rafael Leao’s father has met with a Saudi emissary to begin discussions over a potential move to Al-Hilal, according to a report from Portugal.”
…….
“There has also been nothing in the way of reports to suggest Leao would move to Saudi Arabia at this stage in his career.”
So his father is meeting a team in Saudi Arabia, but there is nothing that suggest Leao would move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career.
Make it make sense Record.
Leao is a grown man, he can make his own decisions, nothing wrong with meeting someone who’s interested in your services. Maldini throughout his career received huge offers from Manchester United and Chelsea nothing wrong with hearing the offers. Just because an approach is made doesn’t mean it will materialize just like how we approached Thuram.
Read it again.
If the club get over 100 million, and they reinvest all of it, then they’d be absolutely mad not to bite the hand off the Saudis for this.
Leao is a very talented player. There is no doubt about that. But he has never shown the level of consistency in his time in Milan to make him immune to being sold.
If the management are serious about reinvesting money gained from sales into strengthening the team, then his sale makes more sense than Maignan or Hernandez.
The proceeds from such a sale, if used well, buy two other players for positions that really need to be bolstered.
It would be, but as said before, he has the final say, and his lifestyle of rap music, fashion and partying doesn’t match Saudi as a country. Our city is one of the fashion capitals of the world. I think it’s a major distraction on his career, he’s been absolutely poor in this Euro’s as well. Even if we get the money, the decision is his to make. I always remind people of Winston Bogarde, signed by Chelsea for big money, massive salary, turned down every move to never play and sit on the bench. If the player doesn’t want the move he won’t make the move.
For people who want leao to be sold, i just want to say this :
Leao right now is on his peak, there is no guarantee that his replacement will be able to gel right away with the team or even with theo.
Now if theo leaves too, milan’s attack from the left side would be reduced to 0.
I say it again, leao and theo have been one the best attack duo in the world right now.
Can milan sign 2 players that can be as deadly and explosive as them?
Even theo and leao needed more than one season to be as good as they are right now.
Many seasons, all of them, Kessie, Leao, Theo, Tonali, Hakan etc, adjusting to the Italian game is not easy. All of them besides Hakan were raw talents. Hakan was more polished. Kessie ended up wasting his career and is just playing for the money in Saudi now, certain players will follow their agents to the detriment of their careers and respect they command as a player and a person.
People so easily say sell leao and buy this player, that player.
But for every reijndeers and pulisic, there are also cdk, hauge, a. silva, etc.
At his peak? So he won’t improve from here?! SELL HIM NOW THEN! One good match every 5 matches don’t cut it.
Left wing would produce 0 with him gone? LOL. Put Pulisic there or promote Theo to play higher. Problem solved.
Leao isn’t doing himself any favors at the tournament. 2yellows in two games for diving (even if the serving yellow was harsh). Martinez took him out at half time in fact. And Leao misses the next game.
No way we get 175mil for that Leao.
If Leao would pass that darn ball before the 2nd and 3rd defender arrived he’d be magnificent and find a 1, 2 passing and then receiving the next ball with acres of space for himself. Instead he runs himself into double and triple teams and loses the ball.
To do that you have to be able to play with your head up. He never does, always looking down at his feet, never learned how to dribble without watching. Even more than his clear laziness, it is his biggest flaw.
What’s with Leao on Euros? It’s like he’s trying to fend off any of potential suitors with his shenanigans🤣
Leao is very talented but if we have to sacrifice between Theo and Mike or Leao. I’d go for Leao. Theo is generational talent and our club vice captain. Replacing GK is not an easy task as well, so I’d rather keep both Mike and Theo. Leao when in form is insane, but I can count with my fingers how many times he was in form last season
If the saudis are willing to pay the release clause and Leao accepts there is pretty much nothing we can do about it.
But I don’t see a good reason to sell him for way less than the release clause.
Leao is our best player and forms a good partership with Theo. Losing one or both is going to be detrimental and hard to replicate. Plus players of Leao’s qualities are too expensive.
Kvaratskhelia isn’t going to leave Napoli for less than 100M€ perhaps even more.
Mbappe just went to Real Madrid.
Foden is currently valued at 150M€ according to transfermarket.
Aside from those, all the others are rather unproven and there is no garantee they will fit quickly in our system.
I’d do a straight swap for Kvara without hesitation. I’d rather have a player with a proper footballing brain and drive than one who will forever remain a diamond in the rough. There is a reason why no European clubs are lining up for Leao, even before the huge release clause.
Nico Williams 55 milion release clause. Pretty similar player.
We’ve gone from players who used to want to play for the shirt of the clubs they grew up in, to wanting to play for the wealthiest clubs in Europe and still compete for things like the champions league or one of the top divisions, to now wanting to play for simply the highest salary even if it’s in a nowhere league in a nowhere country and all in the prime of their careers, not even at 30.
I dont believe saudi pro league club want to pay transfer fee 175m euro , they are willing give massive salary to player but they are never willing to pay transfer fee more than 80m euro to europe club
They have to see if Leão is interested in the move of course, otherwise there’s nothing to discuss. I don’t think this means anything is heating up. I can’t really see Leão moving to KSA honestly, doesn’t seem to suit him.