Milan Transfer Market: Ruben Amorim Doesn’t Mince Words About Rafael Leao

On the sidelines of the 1-1 summer derby draw against Inter in Perth, Australia, Ruben Amorim said he was satisfied with Milan’s performance and, among other things, shared his thoughts on Rafael Leao’s future with the Rossoneri. Leao played his first minutes of the new season against the Nerazzurri but remains on the transfer market, especially in light of statements made by the Portuguese player himself, which hinted at an imminent departure.

“When you play for Milan, you’re lucky, and you have to enjoy yourself too,” the new Rossoneri coach told Sky Sport. “He’s doing just that, and first and foremost, he remains a player on the team: today he helped the group, and that’s what really matters. I view him the same way I view Nkunku or Camarda: Leao is part of the project.”

The transfer situation surrounding Leao, however, remains complicated. Galatasaray has presented the Portuguese player with a contract offer of 12 million euros net per season—nearly double what he currently earns with the Rossoneri—but talks between the Turkish club and Milan have yet to begin: Gerry Cardinale has set the transfer fee at 60 million euros and has no intention of offering a discount.

Previously, Fenerbahçe had come forward with greater conviction, proposing a loan deal with an option to buy set at 46 million, but Leao himself had put the brakes on the deal, unconvinced by the idea of moving to a less prestigious league and a club not yet certain of qualifying for the Champions League.

The Rossoneri’s No. 10 remains set on the Premier League, though no concrete offers have materialized there so far. Leao’s contract runs through 2028, and it’s not out of the question that the player might decide to stay with the Rossoneri for another season: much will depend on his rapport with Amorim, with whom he has only recently begun training following his return from the post-World Cup break.