Reported Wolverhampton Wanderers target Rafael Leao is a ‘pure talent’ who can produce something out of absolutely nothing, former Portugal international Nuno Gomes tells Calciomercato of the AC Milan forward.
In truth, Leao’s debut season at the San Siro reflected that of his new club.
The £32 million speed-machine endured a tough start to life at the seven-time European champions but, once Italian football returned from a four-month pause in the spring, both Leao and Milan as a whole were totally transformed.
In fact, the former Lille starlet ended the 2019/20 campaign with six Serie A goals as Stefano Pioli’s side, who picked up more points than any other side post-restart, finished in the European places again.
It is no surprise, then, that Milan are hoping to keep Leao around amid claims from Calciomercato in July that Wolves had their sights set on another Jorge Mendes client.
“Rafael Leao is pure talent. In my opinion he just needs time and trust from his teammates and the coach. When he has the ball he can do something special,” said Gomes.
“Leao has not always shown his best, but sometimes he has succeeded and I believe that with a little confidence he will become very strong.”
Zvonimir Boban, the Croatia legend who helped bring Leao to Milan during his brief spell as Chief Football Officer, agrees with Gomes that the 21-year-old is a rough diamond that just needs a bit of polishing.
“An extraordinary talent,” Boban told Gazzetta.
With AC Milan heading in the right direction after years mired in no man’s land, Wolves are facing an uphill battle if they really want to raid a giant finally waking from his slumber.
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