Newcastle United have been presented with an opportunity to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leão in the summer.
The forward has less than 18 months left on his deal and the Serie A winners are keen to tie him down to a new contract. They have made their intention public several times but haven’t been successful in securing his long-term future.
Last weekend, Milan chief Frederic Massara insisted his side are “working to find a solution” to sort out Leão’s future beyond 2024. The player, however, doesn’t seem to be in a rush to sign a new deal.
“I’m fine here in Milan, I’m talking to the people who need to talk. I can’t talk now. Let’s see what happens at the end of the season,” Leão said, as quoted by Sport Mediaset.
The Rossoneri’s failure to extend the 23-year-old’s contract so far has allowed reports linking him to a few clubs across Europe. Newcastle are now added to this list.
Italian journalist Ciro Venerato told 1 Football Club that the Portugal international’s agent has proposed Leão to Eddie Howe’s side and other clubs.
“Every day could be the good one, both for the farewell and for the renewal. The player has repeatedly expressed his willingness to stay with the Rossoneri. In fact, however, it is difficult to materialise. There are two main obstacles,” Venerato said, as quoted by CalcioNapoli24.
“The first is represented by the penalty to be paid to Sporting, which is around €16.5m, to which taxes should then be added in the event of payment managed by AC Milan. The further problem is represented by the clause, which the player would like to reduce.
“The Portuguese agent offered the boy to various top European clubs, including PSG, Newcastle, United and City. The starting price will be €90m, as the club will not want to be caught unprepared.”
Newcastle will have to invest big to sign the attacker in the summer. Leão has nine goals and 10 assists from 32 matches in all competitions this season.
