Rafael Leao rules out AC Milan exit amid Barca, PSG links
Rafael Leao has ruled out a departure from AC Milan this summer despite rumoured interest from both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The Portuguese winger rose to prominence during the 2021-22 season, where he played a vital role in Milan’s Scudetto success, earning the Serie A MVP award for that campaign.
In the 18 months since, Leao has found it tougher, with the weight of expectation and injuries overcoming him on occasion.
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However, a return to form in a Milan side that has been flourishing during 2024 has seen his stock rise again, and a goal of the season contender in the draw with Atalanta at the weekend will only add to that.
Milan remain in a strong position to keep the player, with a €175m (£150m) release clause in Leao’s contract which runs until 2028.
Spanish outlet Sport claim that Leao is high on the list of targets for both Barca and PSG, with the two clubs in a position where they could lose important attackers this summer.
The report states that Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barca is not certain, while PSG are almost reserved to the fact that Kylian Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Telefoot claim that the French club see Leao as a like-for-like replacement, even going as far as calling Leao the next Mbappe.
With a release clause so high though, it is almost impossible that either club will be able to meet it, making a transfer appear difficult in the near future.
In addition to the huge buyout clause, Leao has made a move away from San Siro even more unlikely with comments made recently at the presentation of his new book.
Leao pledged his commitment to the Rossoneri, saying: “In Milan they helped me grow as a man and as a player. I can’t leave them. My future is in Milan. My education is based on loyalty.”
The left-winger also spoke about the difficulty of previously being likened to Mbappe, with PSG’s comments about him being his ideal replacement unlikely to help their cause.
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“It was difficult for me to leave [Portugal]. I had my friends there, my parents, I went to a city where I didn’t know anyone. It was a new championship, they called me the Portuguese Mbappe, but I needed time to adapt to a new reality.” Leao revealed.
After a fine goal and performance against Atalanta at the weekend, Leao will be back in action for Milan on Friday night away to Lazio, as the Rossoneri look to close down Juventus in second.