Over the past few days, reports in the English press have discussed Chelsea interest in AC Milan star Rafael Leão.
Claims made in the UK have reached Italy, with Gianluigi Longari giving his take on this case.
The Sportitalia journalist appeared as a guest on Radio Rossonera’s show and gave his view on the possibility of the forward leaving for Chelsea.
Leão has two years left on his contract and the Serie A side have been trying to extend his deal further. The 23-year-old was instrumental in their title winning campaign last season, scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists from 34 league matches.
Longari states the Rossoneri will not part ways with the Portugal international for less than his release clause. Calciomercato reported in May the player has a €150m clause at Milan.
“He has a release clause, so you can’t throw a container of water on the flame to put it out completely. It would seem absurd if Milan got rid of Leão now and for a figure lower than the clause,” Longari said.
“AC Milan belong to an investment fund, in these cases the last word always belongs to the owners.
“I think it is very difficult for Leão to be lost, at the moment there are no concrete offers, and there is a week left. I am inclined to believe that he stays.”
Milan signed Leão from Lille in 2019, a year after the French club took him from Sporting. There is an ongoing dispute in the manner in which the player left the Portuguese club. The journalist says this is something potential buyers like Chelsea must take into account.
“However, his contractual situation is controversial, and those who want to buy him must realise that the money to spend is not only linked to the cost of the fee, because there is also the lawsuit with Sporting,” he added.
