Rafael Leao has reportedly signed a new long-term deal at AC Milan following an obvious rejection of a summer transfer interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea.
According to a report from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Leao has already put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him with the Italian club for five years.
The Portugal international has issued conflicting signals about his future in the public eye over the last year, but he now looks to be committed to remaining part of the AC Milan project. His previous deal was slated to end at the end of next season.
Particular interest has been shown in Rafael Leao by Chelsea, who attempted to sign him at the very end of last summer transfer window.
But the Blues have struggled on the pitch since then and added several attackers to their squad, while AC Milan are now in the Champions League semi-finals and reliant on Leao as their top star.
Rafael Leao has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in Serie A this season despite missing play time due to injury. The 23-year-old is anticipated to be rewarded with a big wage boost in his new deal.
The highly-rated winger, who has been garnering interest from several teams like Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of the summer, has enjoyed a fantastic season with the Serie A giants, scoring 13 goals and 13 assists so far this season.
He was also instrumental during his side’s Scudetto triumph last season, which brought Milan their first Serie A title in 11 years.
However, after capturing the eyes of numerous elite teams this summer, Leao has opted to stay at Milan until June 2028, according to The Athletic.
The 23-year-old star remains a fitness doubt ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against bitter rivals Inter, having picked up a thigh injury in the first 11 minutes against Lazio on Saturday.
What’s next for Rafael Leao?
Leao misses AC Milan’s first-leg clash against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, but the player will be fighting to regain his fitness and return to training this week.
Meanwhile, his status for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan next week remains uncertain.
Who’s Rafael Leao?
Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão is a Portuguese professional football player who plays for Portugal’s national team and Serie A club AC Milan.
Rafael Leao age;
Leao was born on the 10th of June 1999, in Almada, Portugal.
Rafael Leao’s contract and salary with AC Milan;
Leao joined AC Milan in 2019 on a five years contract in a deal reportedly worth 30 million euros.
The 22-year-old earn 29,000 pounds per week and an annual salary reportedly worth 1.5 million pounds.
Rafael Leao club career;
Leao made his first-team debut in 2018 after graduating from the Sporting CP youth system.
He helped the team win the Taça da Liga in 2017–18 before deciding to end his contract on his own.
Soon after, he signed a free agent contract with Ligue 1 club Lille.
In 2019, AC Milan reportedly paid €35 million to acquire his services. After an 11-year drought, he was a key factor in the club’s 2021-22 Serie A championship run.
In addition to being on the Ballon d’Or’s final 30-man shortlist, he was named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player.
Rafael Leao International career;
Leo was a member of the 2016 Portuguese under-17 team that won the European Championship.
He has previously represented Portugal at the youth international level. In 2021, he debuted for his country’s senior national team.
