Rafael Leao was the star of the Derby della Madonnina victory for Milan, further increasing his profile, and only now can contract extension talks truly get going with new owners RedBird to keep Chelsea at bay.
The Portuguese winger was reported to be the subject of offers close to €100m in the final days of the transfer session from Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, with the Rossoneri standing firm by his €150m release clause.
He then only increased his value on the market by contributing two goals and an assist in the 3-2 victory over Inter, confirming his importance to this squad.
His contract runs to June 2024 and negotiations for an extension haven’t really got going yet because it was only this week that Milan completed the takeover with new owners RedBird.
Their representatives were in the stands for the derby and can now make a real statement of intent for the future by locking Leao down to a new deal.
That would confirm they are here to build for the future and not make Milan a selling club.
On the other hand, they also do not want to break from the recent approach taken by Milan chiefs Elliott Management of refusing to bow to pressure, which saw them lose Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessie as free agents.
His agent has requested circa €7m per season, the same salary earned by Zlatan Ibrahimovic last term, but Milan’s proposal was believed to be closer to €4.5m.
A raise is without doubt due, because the 23-year-old is still on the same €1.5m per season deal he signed when first arriving from LOSC in 2019.
There is another problem regarding Leao, namely the court case he lost to Sporting CP over unilateral termination of his contract in 2018, which means he owes the club €20m.
That will be paid in instalments by taking circa 20% of his salary until the debt has been resolved.
More important than any individual player is the protection of the football club, its integrity, and financial sustainability.
Finantial sustainability is very important and yada yada yada… ok!
But there are extraordinary situations, points outside the curve that forcefully create exceptions to the rule, any rule: and an amazing player, an ace of the stature of Rafael Leão constitutes exactly one of those cases. An effort beyond the normal proceedings needs to be made to renew his contract and ensure that one of the greatest talents of the current generation continues to play for Milan.
Keep him no matter what.
yada yada yada…
Yes, and then when the club exceeds what it earns, gets thrown out of European competition or faces financial suicide, I’m sure you’ll be there to pick it up…!
Nonsense. Milan can pay the salary he’s asking, and his contract will be renewed, I’m certain of it.