Rafael Leão could leave Milan after Champions League run

The forward’s deal at Milan ends in 2024.

Rafael Leão was, along with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, the big winner of Tuesday’s Champions League action. His performance against Napoli in the second leg of the quarter-final proved key to Milan reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2007.

It was in the 42nd minute at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona when the Portuguese forward picked up the ball in his own half, ran 77 metres (top speed 34km/h), beat three opponents and set up Olivier Giroud for the goal that all but sealed the tie.

Leão’s contract at Milan expires in 2024 and if they fail to tie him down to a new deal in the coming months, they risk losing him for free in a year’s time. His release clause is also within the reach of the more financially powerful teams: €150m.

Despite his declarations after Tuesday’s exhibition in Naples, in which he declared his love for Milan, AS understands that his future at the Rossoneri is far from clear. After months of negotiations between Jorge Mendes and Paolo Maldini, the two parties have not been able to reach a common ground.

“I am very happy here. AC Milan is my home. I still have a year left on my contract: we are talking to try to reach an agreement. I would like to stay, but there are some situations to resolve,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

The player himself acknowledges in these statements that there are differences between what he wants and what Milan are offering him. One of the points of dispute is the clause. Milan want to raise it to €200m, while the forward wants to keep the current one. If the differences remain, Rafael Leão’s immediate future could be in the Premier League, at Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United or Liverpool.

One of the coaches he has impressed is Carlo Ancelotti. His speed and the ease with which he can find the net are the reasons why the Italian coach speaks highly of him. In Madrid they have very positive reports, although in his position the club have an excess of players.

Chelsea close to Milan star

He was linked with Madrid last summer. However, the team that has been closest to signing him has been Chelsea. The London team negotiated his transfer a few months ago, but Milan rejected the proposal.

Last season he scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists to help Milan win the Scudetto. Those figures earned him the Serie A Player of the Year award. This season he has 11 goals and 12 assists. In 2019, the reigning Italian champions paid 23 million to Lille for the signing of Rafael Leão. The French club had signed him in 2018 on a free.