According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, compensation to Sporting CP is no longer an issue in Rafael Leao’s contract extension, but there are two other obstacles for Milan, including the Portuguese’s release clause.
Leao’s contract expires in June 2024 and the defending Serie A champions hope to finalise an agreement to extend his stay at the club in the coming weeks.
As per Gazzetta, Leao and Milan are close to reaching an agreement over the player’s salary which will rise from €1.5m per season to €7-7.5m.
So, what’s missing to close the deal? Leao has accepted that Milan won’t need to pay part of the €19m fine he owes to his former club Sporting CP for terminating his contract unilaterally in 2018.
However, Jorge Mendes, one of the player’s representatives wants to lower his €150m release clause, while Milan want to keep it or even remove it.
Leao’s agents represent another issue. The lawyer Ted Dimvula is formally Leao’s agent, but Mendes also has a role in negotiations, just like Leao’s father Antonio.
According to the report, Mendes is in no rush to reach an agreement, while Dimvula will be in Milan next week to continue negotiations with the Rossoneri.