Milan Transfer Market: How the 2026 World Cup Is Shaping Rafael Leao’s Future
Milan Transfer News: Rafa Leao is set to shine at the 2026 World Cup—the very summer that could mark his departure from the Rossoneri. His excellent performances for Portugal—including an assist to his potential future teammate Gonçalo Ramos against Croatia—are, however, stirring up speculation and raising new doubts. Yet the player himself does not seem to share these concerns.
According to a report by *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, Milan appears unwavering in its decision to part ways with its forward. In fact, a standout World Cup performance by Leao could allow the club to secure a windfall of 60–70 million from his transfer. The forward, after all, has reportedly already instructed his representatives to explain his decision to move on to the club’s management. The final discussion on the matter took place last Thursday. Ruben Amorim is likely hoping for a dramatic about-face, but in the meantime, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are knocking on the door. The sirens of the Premier League, meanwhile, point toward Manchester United or, more likely, Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham.
Tottenham, after all, is a club in the midst of a flurry of activity during this transfer window. The Spurs have just officially announced the signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for 115 million euros, including bonuses, making the Italian midfielder the most expensive Italian player of all time. Tonali, too, has chosen De Zerbi’s project despite the team’s absence from European competition next season—a precedent that could pave the way for Leao as well, should the Italian coach manage to convince the Portuguese player of the merits of his technical vision.
Meanwhile, on the Milan front, the club has already made moves in attack to prepare for Leao’s potential departure. Gonçalo Ramos—the player to whom Leao provided the decisive assist against Croatia—has already passed his medical exams and is set to officially become a new Rossoneri player. The transfer from PSG will cost the Rossoneri at least 50 million euros—a figure that exceeds the 49.5 million spent in 2019 to sign Leao from Lille—making Ramos the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent and a key figure in relations between Portuguese soccer and major European clubs, acted as an intermediary in the deal.
Amorim has also reportedly already identified Pedro Gonçalves of Sporting Lisbon as the ideal candidate to carry on Leao’s legacy on the wing. The attacking winger, born in 1998 and valued at around 30 million euros, can also play as an attacking midfielder and possesses speed and a knack for scoring: last season, he tallied 13 goals and 8 assists in 27 league matches. However, it won’t be easy to pry him away from the green-and-white club, with which he is under contract through 2030.
The next match for Leao and Portugal will be on Monday, July 6, when the Portuguese team faces Spain in the round of 16. This will be another important test for the Rossoneri forward, who will have the opportunity to further showcase his talents in front of scouts from across Europe. His performance in that match could also have a significant impact on the final transfer value should he be sold.
