Rafael Leao San Siro AC Milan Italy
San Siro Inter Milan
AC Milan consider Rafael Leao one of their most important players in the squad but the Serie A side are still willing to offload him in the summer.
Leao has a long list of admirers but his €175 million release clause had been keeping the teams at arm’s length. However, Milan are now ready to lower their demands and according to a report in Fichajes, the Serie A side will accept a transfer fee of around €130 million.
The 25-year-old’s current market value is €75 million but he still has three more years remaining on his contract. Even though Milan consider him a valuable asset to the club, his agent Jorge Mendes is actively trying to find a new destination.
And maybe this is why the club is willing to do business in the summer.
Is Rafael Leao a €130 million player?
Rafael Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019 and apart from his first two seasons, the winger has been one of their most consistent players. He has registered double-digit goals and assists in each of his previous four seasons and he’s also won the Serie A and the Super Cup during his time in Italy.
He is an out-and-out left winger and in 34 league appearances this season, Leao has an xG and XA of 7.25 and 6.2 respectively. He has scored 8 league goals from just 29 shots on target and also helped create 58 major chances.
Along with Vinicius Jr and Barcola, Rafael Leao is easily one of the finest left-wingers in Europe right now and Milan have every right to ask €130 million for someone who still has three more years remaining on his contract. His price tag will also seem fair to all the interested clubs because the Portuguese international is only 25 years old, meaning he can still play at the top of his game for the next five to six seasons.
Which teams will be ready to pay so much for Leao?
Premier League:
In the English top tier, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United have been linked with the winger. United, however, have been ruled out already because they neither have the funds nor Champions League football to be able to attract Rafael Leao.
Man City can afford him but they will first need to get rid of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku before Pep Guardiola can convince the Milan winger.
Arsenal and Chelsea can be viable destinations because they will both play in the Champions League next season but the two London clubs will definitely hesitate to pay such a premium fee.
If Liverpool end up losing Luis Diaz then Leao can be the ideal long-term replacement but because the Anfield outfit are spending so much on Florian Wirtz, there’s no way the management will sanction €130 million.
Bundesliga:
Bayern Munich have been linked with Rafael Leao and the Bavarians can make this happen. They were ready to pay €150 million for Florian Wirtz but now that the deal is not happening, the Bayern management could use that money to sign Leao.
Also, if Leroy Sane leaves, the club will free up a lot of their wages.
La Liga:
Barcelona want to sign the Milan winger but they cannot afford him this summer. Also, with Raphinha in such top form, there’s no need for Deco and Laporta to spend that kind of money on a new left-winger. If they do have to sign someone then Hansi Flick would be happy to see Liverpool’s Luis Diaz on board.
Saudi Pro League:
The situation for the Middle Eastern clubs is totally different because not only are they willing to meet Milan’s demands but are also ready to offer Rafael Leao a lucrative package. Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are reportedly offering the winger salaries of €25 million per year.