Tottenham transfer news: Rafael Leao makes AC Milan contract demand

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AC Milan are desperately trying to convince Rafael Leao to sign a new contract and ignore interest from Tottenham Hotspur in his transfer. But their hopes have now hit an impasse.

That is according to TuttoMercatoWEB, which reports that Leao has now asked AC Milan to lower his release clause. His existing terms at San Siro include a €150m (£131m) clause. But the Portugal star wants it lowered to €80m (£70m) to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

The Rossoneri leadership are loath to reduce the figure, let alone nearly slash the value of the clause in half. Instead, AC Milan have informed Leao that they will either leave it as in his existing terms or remove the clause entirely. The clause is also only active during June.

AC Milan are speaking directly to Leao regarding his new contract as he can personally pen the deal. The Rossoneri do not feel the forward’s representative, Ted Dimvula, needs to be involved in the discussions. They are also not talking to his father or agent, Jorge Mendes.

Leao has so far negotiated a fresh contract running to June 2027 to extend his stay at San Siro. The 23-year-old is only currently tied down at the Serie A side through to June 2024. AC Milan have not yet extended his terms since Leao joined from LOSC Lille back in 2019.

Rafael Leao’s transfer from AC Milan would interest Chelsea and Tottenham

AC Milan are desperate to now resolve Leao’s future with a new contract amid a nine-goal, nine-assist season so far. He has also featured in 25 of their fixtures across all competitions this term. But rival suitors are lining up at the 16-cap attacker’s door in view of his transfer.

Tottenham are one club which holds an interest in Leao’s potential transfer from AC Milan. Calciomercato.it has cited Spurs as tracking the £32m former Lille star’s negotiations about a new contract. 90min also reports that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is an ‘enormous fan’.

AC Milan will likely baulk at lowering the release clause in any new contract for Leao with Chelsea and Tottenham keen on his transfer. The lower figure the Portugal star has asked for would be far more viable for the Premier League rivals than his existing release clause.