Rafael Leao came out and revealed his future plans: the Portuguese winger’s comments to SportTV
After a disastrous end to the season, AC Milan find themselves with an uncertain future with many questions needing to be answered. The departures of multiple key executives alongside the failure to qualify for Champion’s League next season make it no easy task to plan for the future. The organization began its rebuild by moving on from its top leadership positions, including the CEO, sporting director (SD), and head coach. What might come next is the same happening to several players who have reached the end of their time at San Siro.
One of them is Rafael Leao, who has been with Milan since 2019 and has been a standout player in recent years. However, the Portuguese forward’s time with the club will most likely come to an end during the upcoming transfer window. This was revealed by the player himself, who spoke openly about his future in an interview with SportTV.
Leao and Milan heading for a split: the portuguese player speaks out
In an interview with SportTV, Leao had this to say about his future: “I think I’ve given Milan everything I could. It’s a club that has helped me grow a lot and supported me through tough times. And I’m happy to have made my mark in the club’s history. Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they desire, the goals they want to achieve. And I, too, want to take on a new challenge in a new league.”
Leao’s current contract runs until 2028 with a €175 million release clause in place. However, it’s almost certain that the fee required for him to go will be much lower than that at this point.
The reports from Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto
Fabrizio Romano also weighed in on the matter on his YouTube channel: “The dismissal of the management team has also had a direct impact on Leao’s situation. Leao, in fact, spoke publicly in an interview in which he effectively thanked Milan and stated that he is ready for a new challenge in a different league. Rafa Leao will no longer be a Milan player.”
Matteo Moretto then added: “At the start of the season, Milan had even considered the possibility of a contract extension. The Rossoneri were, in fact, pleased with his performance. By early April, however, Milan reportedly changed its stance, beginning to view Leao as transferable. Recently, Galatasaray has shown interest, as have several Premier League clubs. Saudi Arabia is also in the mix, but the hottest lead is the Turkish one.”
