Tottenham Hotspur have distanced themselves from one of the most widely discussed winger transfers of the summer, with Fabrizio Romano moving to clarify the true nature of a story that had been gaining significant traction across European football media.
Reports had suggested Roberto De Zerbi’s side were actively pursuing a high profile wide player currently available from one of Serie A’s biggest clubs.
The narrative built quickly, particularly given Tottenham’s aggressive approach to the summer window, having already brought in six new signings totalling £237 million, including the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, alongside free transfers for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka.
With attacking reinforcements still on the agenda, speculation naturally intensified around potential winger targets. But Romano has now poured cold water on the most high profile of those links.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano was unequivocal, “There are no negotiations between Tottenham and his agent regarding Rafa Leao, nor between Tottenham and Milan.”
The AC Milan and Portugal international has been heavily linked with a Premier League move throughout the summer.
Leao, who had previously attracted interest from Liverpool among other top European clubs, publicly declared before the World Cup that he considered his seven year chapter at Milan to be over, stating that the Premier League and La Liga might be better suited to his style of football.
Those comments opened the door to widespread speculation, but turning attention into concrete offers has proven considerably more difficult.
According to Football Italia, the reality of the Tottenham situation is essentially the reverse of what was being reported.
Rather than Spurs approaching Milan, it was Leao’s intermediaries who proposed him to Tottenham, with De Zerbi’s club reportedly not particularly excited by the idea of signing him.
Milan’s position has also become clearer under new manager Ruben Amorim, who has publicly stated that Christian Pulisic’s ideal position is on the left side of a trident attack, effectively the role currently occupied by Leao.
That tactical preference signals the Portuguese winger’s days at the San Siro are numbered, and the club have no intention of offering him a contract extension beyond his current deal running until June 2028.
For Tottenham, Romano confirmed their actual winger priorities lie elsewhere.
Savinho from Manchester City is described as their number one, two, and three target, with the Brazilian having been coveted by Spurs for over a year.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is also a genuine desire, though Romano noted that Liverpool have not yet opened the door to his departure.
With Milan actively seeking to move Leao on and genuine interest so far limited to Benfica and Galatasaray, the 27 year old faces a more uncertain summer than his public declarations suggested, as the Premier League move he craves continues to prove elusive.