“There Is A Good Chance…” Club Director Provides Update On 134M Rated Portuguese Star’s Future Amid Chelsea Interest

“There Is A Good Chance…” Club Director Provides Update On 134M Rated Portuguese Star’s Future Amid Chelsea Interest

AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini says he is confident that the Rossoneri can find an agreement with Rafael Leao over a new contract.

The Portuguese international has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester City in recent months but, when asked about the winger’s future, Maldini replied:

“Leao will have everything to compete to the maximum. Then, of course, there are no non-transferable players for all the teams in the world. If we can say that there is a good chance of finding an agreement with him and Sporting? Yes, with him yes.”

Maldini mentioned Sporting Lisbon because there is an additional complication that could stop Leao from signing a new deal with the Serie A champions.

The Portuguese side are owed €19m in compensation following a legal dispute over Leao’s previous transfer to Lille. The player is personally liable to pay the money but he has asked for Milan to foot the bill.

The Italian club have so far refused to accept the demand, which may lead to the player stalling on a contract extension. Chelsea could still exploit the situation, although it remains to be seen whether Milan would hold out for Leao’s €150m (£134m) buyout clause if they did choose to sell him.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.