Milan director Paolo Maldini assures Rafael Leao is still ‘a diamond in the rough’ who would benefit from staying, while giving updates on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Divock Origi and Sven Botman.
The Rossoneri legend spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and you can read the rest of his fascinating comments here.
Having won the Serie A title and qualified for the Champions League for the second year in a row, talents like Leao have caught the eye of top clubs.
“Of course he is not for sale,” insisted Maldini. “He is still a rough diamond who from one year to the next has already improved so much. We signed him from Lille for €24m and immediately put a €150m release clause on him, because we believed so much in this player.
“He was always potentially a great champion, but he needs to continue this growth process that he is only part-way through. He is extremely intelligent, but needed to be helped along the way and I spoke to him a lot.
“Clearly, if in future Milan are not at the level of Leao or if Leao is not at the level of Milan, things could change. But at this moment, the growth is exponential for both the club and the player.”
When it comes to new signings, Maldini warned owners Elliott Management and potential new patrons RedBird they must decide whether to step up a level or remain in a holding pattern.
“We are talking to Origi and the thing is at a very advanced stage,” added Maldini of the Liverpool striker who will be a free agent after June 30.
He was asked if they are close to Lille centre-back Botman, especially after reports Newcastle United were making a far higher offer.
“We tracked him, but there are many valid players in his role.”
A striker is necessary because Ibrahimovic will be out for seven to eight months following knee ligament surgery and has not yet decided whether to extend his contract with Milan, which expires on June 30.
“I spoke to him on Monday and we said we’d discuss it again in about 15 days. I don’t see a problem in reaching an agreement.
“Naturally, he’s not happy at playing so little. We’ll see what happens in the next two weeks. Whatever we do will be for the good of him and Milan. From what I understand, his intention is to keep playing.”
“Vi racconto lo scudetto, è stato un Milan capolavoro”: l’intervista esclusiva a Paolo Maldini #Milan https://t.co/C14zMGhkUw
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) May 26, 2022
Please hurry and make your comeback Ibra. Even after 7 months and surgery at 41 you are a legend and Milan‘s eternal grandpa. Grazie per tutto Nonno.