AC Milan and Rafael Leao have no intention of parting company and that’s why Wolverhampton Wanderers failed in their approach for the £32 million-rated forward, according to Calciomercato.
Molineux may be a magnet for almost every horse in Jorge Mendes’ stable but, despite their best efforts, Wolves failed to add the former Sporting Lisbon starlet to their collection.
Leao, a £32 million signing from Lille, struggled to live up to lofty expectations during a difficult debut season at San Siro and Nuno Espirito Santo obviously felt an opportunity was opening.
But while Milan were given the chance to cash in on a player who managed just 12 Serie A starts in 2019/20, it quickly became clear this was one Mendes client Wolves wouldn’t get their mitts on.
Calciomercato reports the seven-time European champions swatted away Wolves’ interest.
Head coach Stefano Pioli has always spoken positively about Leao’s “extraordinary potential”, while the player was never interested in walking away from the San Siro after just 12 months in red and black.
Just weeks into the new campaign, that decision looks inspired.
Pioli’s patience is paying off, with Leao following up a stunning assist in the 2-1 victory over Inter by laying on two more in Monday’s 3-3 draw with Roma.
In four matches, Leao has two goals and three assists.
Suddenly, a rapid-fire forward who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and his Brazilian counterpart looks worth every penny of that £32 million.
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