Rafael Leao is reportedly eager to sign a new contract with AC Milan just days after the attacker admitted he liked Arsenal amid reports in the Gunners’ interest in the winger.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 23-year-old attacker is ‘winning’ to sign a new deal with Milan, with Leao’s future set to be decided in the January transfer window as Milan look to tie their star forward down to a new deal next month.
The update might come as a surprise to some given that Leao recently admitted that he is a fan of Arsenal, with the comments coming after reports from the likes of La Repubblica that the north London side are interested in signing the Portuguese international.
With Gabriel Martinelli closing in on a new long-term contract and Arsenal bidding to sign Mykhailo Mudryk, though, there’s a good chance that Mikel Arteta’s side have moved on from Leao, who with a reported release clause of £105m might be too expensive for the Premier League leaders.
Indeed, Arsenal have been praised by pundits and rival fans for the way they have built their squad in recent windows, and Leao’s decision to sign a new contract with Milan could be an indicator that the winger isn’t sure he will be moving to north London anytime soon.
Such a decision wouldn’t be a bad move from Leao, though, who is clearly an exceptional attacker in Serie A. And remaining with Milan could see the youngster’s price tag increase even more if the winger continues to develop and to perform in Italy.
Arsenal signing Leao must be shelved for good amid contract update
Arsenal and Leao feel like a match made in heaven, yet with the winger now open to signing a new contract with Milan, the north London side should shelve their interest in the attacker for good, especially given how impressive Martinelli’s development has been this season the pending arrival of Mudryk.
After all, Arteta’s long-term plan for Arsenal is one that is setting the Gunners on one for success, and whilst Leao would be an exceptional addition, the north London side don’t have the budget or squad size to bring in the Milan star in 2023.
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