The idea of only extending Rafael Leao’s contract with AC Milan by two or three years is becoming a more plausible idea in order to protect his value, a report claims.
As has been reported by Tuttosport (via Milan News), the Rossoneri are very wary of losing the player on a free transfer in 2024, when his current deal runs out.
Whilst it would be ideal for Milan to get him onto a new five-year deal, the club could settle for a shorter renewal that protects his value and allows him to stay for one more year should a move not materialise.
The extension, even if only for two-three years, would be on the widely reported figures of €7.5 million per year.
The only hiccup is that Milan do not intend to back down from their stance on the release clause. Despite that, it is thought that a deal is getting closer and closer.
Signing a short term deal at that salary especially protects Milan .
Leao needs to show something that he hasn’t shown yet to justify that salary and that’s consistency.
If he becomes consistent, great, good for Milan, good for Leao. Either he gets a bigger contract from Milan later on or Milan sells him for big money and he gets bigger payday from the next club.
If he doesn’t become consistent, at least Milan doesn’t have to keep overpaid, inconsistent, underperforming player in the squad for too long, like Juventus did when they were giving everyone 5 years, 7+ mil a season contracts and then they had to buy them out of their contracts just so they can leave. Or inter with the likes of Alexis Sanches and Arturo Vidal.
Short term deal is the best.
This also speaks volumes about the interest or the lack thereof in Leao from the big rich clubs around Europe, especially since he would be signing a short contract without Milan helping him with his Sporting debt.