According to Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are now ready to offer Rafael Leao a new contract as they aim to fend off Liverpool and Manchester City.
It was Corriere della Sera who revealed that Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are both keen to sign the Portugal international in 2023, should he fail to agree a new contract with the Italian giants.
As things stand, Leao will enter the final 12 months of his contract at the San Siro at the end of the season, with his current release clause set at £130m – according to AC Milan Info.
Now, however, AC Milan are hoping to change that.
AC Milan aim to fend off Liverpool & Manchester City
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are now set to offer Leao three times his current salary as they aim to keep him in Serie A.
The Italian champions are hoping to strike an agreement with their No.17 before the World Cup in November.
However – in our view at least – Leao would be foolish to pen fresh terms before the tournament, as he could attract even more interest, or a better contract offer from AC Milan, with a solid showing in Qatar.
So far this season, the 23-year-old has scored four goals while also providing seven assists in 12 appearances.
Gazzetta dello Sport add that Chelsea are also interested in signing Leao.
AC Milan will struggle to keep Rafael Leao from Liverpool & Manchester City
In our view, AC Milan cannot compete with the Reds and the Citizens financially, as a result of the riches given to Premier League sides by broadcasters.
Even the likes of Nottingham Forest spent more than £160m in the summer, while Wolves – who currently languish in 19th place – secured Matheus Nunes for £38m and Goncalo Guedes for £28m.
As you can see, even those outside of the Premier League’s top six are loaded with cash, so AC Milan offering to triple Leao’s salary probably won’t mean much to him when those in England start to make contract proposals.
Whatever happens, Leao is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now, and his situation is certainly worth keeping an eye on going into 2023.
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