Journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided a very positive update regarding the talks between AC Milan and Rafael Leao over a new contract.
Leao’s future has been the centre of a lot of speculation recently given his continued development towards being one of the elite wingers in Europe after a 2021-22 campaign in which he was named the Serie A MVP.
Links with top European clubs followed given that his contract expires in June 2024 and so far he has not officially penned fresh terms, leading to some anxiety among the Milan fan base that another talent could leave after Gianluigi Donnarumma in 2021 and Franck Kessie last summer.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on the situation via his YouTube channel, and it seems as though things are heading in one direction regarding the Portuguese winger.
“Many questions on Rafael Leao, about Chelsea, Arsenal and many other clubs. This week the agent – the lawyer – of Rafa Leao is in Milano, he’s going to have a meeting with AC Milan and the new contract for Leao is getting closer,” he began.
“It’s not a done deal, but Milan are feeling confident now to extend the contract. Current deal expires in June 2024, there will be a meeting where Milan will offer more than €7m net salary to Leao to stay at the club until 2027 or 2028.
“The negotiation is very advanced but now it is up to Rafa Leao. Let me clarify, I see many rumours or maybe Arsenal fans saying about Rafa Leao, Kvaratskhelia – Kvaratskhelia is 100% not leaving Napoli in January – and for Leao Milan would only accept crazy proposals.
“But at the moment that’s not even the case, Milan want to extend his contract and for Leao the situation is very clear, he’s expected to stay at Milan.”
Well, we are waiting so long for the contract to be extended. It is important because Leao has huge market value. So, in future if he wants to leave, Milan must gain huge amount for his departure. There are no so many “Leao’s” in the market, but with that money Milan can find excellent replacements for the squad.
It doesn’t mean anything until the extension is actually completed, but this is a very encouraging update. It’s hard to overstate how important a positive outcome to this saga is for Milan.
End of transfer window is near. Milan needs to hammer out a deal asap
Leao is not in Chelsea’s plan now that’s for sure. And knowing that the kind of Mudryk sold for 100 mil euro (in total), Leao should worth more than that.
Arsenal has lost Mudryk and maybe declan rice to chelsea this summer. Better spent their money to buy leao 100m pound. It would be nice for two parties.