Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are not put off by Rafael Leao’s €150m release clause and are already working on luring him away from Milan. According to Corriere Della Sera (via MilanNews), both sides have enquired super-agent Jorge Mendes about the availability of his client, who went from strength to strength this past season.
Although Milan are desperate to keep hold of their prized possession, fending off foreign suitors this summer could prove quite a task. Paolo Maldini and co are working their socks off to convince the sought-after Portuguese starlet to pledge his future to San Siro.
But since extension talks are progressing slowly, PSG and Madrid have seen their chance to swoop in and steal Leao away. While the newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions look well-stocked in the attacking department, especially after tying Kylian Mbappe down to a new contract, Los Blancos could use some alterations up top.
Fresh from lifting a record-extending 14th Champions League title, courtesy of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in Paris, Madrid will now switch their attention toward the transfer market. Mbappe was the Spaniards’ preferred target, but PSG came up with an offer no human being could turn down.
Not many players in the market can match the Frenchman’s attacking virtues, yet Leao has fought his way into that distinguished group of forwards. The 22-year-old made his breakthrough in 2021/22, establishing himself as the best-performing winger in Serie A.
So it’s no surprise that Milan are keen to renew his contract as soon as possible. Even though Leao’s potential departure would fill the Rossoneri’s coffers, replacing a player of his quality seems like an arduous task.
Our take on Leao’s situation at Milan
Talks between the parties are well underway, and there’s a feeling that Leao will pledge his future to the Rossoneri in the end. But an interest from top clubs such as PSG and Madrid is likely to force the Serie A champions to lift the initial contract offer.
Regardless of the eventual terms of the deal, Leao deserves every penny, and Maldini sure knows it.