Milan Transfer Market: Amorim Also Lets Leao Go, Price Lowered
Rafael Leao is also on the market. During Thursday’s meeting between coach Ruben Amorim and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, the Portuguese star’s name also came up; he could leave the Rossoneri by the end of the summer transfer window. Before the World Cup, the Portuguese international had announced in at least three different interviews his desire to leave and pursue a new challenge, but after the tournament he had partially backtracked due to a lack of offers and the arrival at Milanello of his compatriot Ruben Amorim.
According to Sky, however, Amorim himself has reportedly given the green light to the player’s transfer, as Leao is not central to the club’s future plans. The former Manchester United coach does not consider Leao essential and would not oppose his transfer, although he would have no problem keeping his compatriot and even playing him if the outgoing transfers do not materialize.
According to rumors, Milan has lowered the asking price for the Portuguese international, which is no longer set at around 50–60 million euros but at 40 million—closer to the offers made in recent weeks by several clubs, including Galatasaray. Meanwhile, the player is currently injured and will not feature in the final friendly against Manchester United; his debut in Serie A against Torino is also in doubt.
Galatasaray was among the first clubs to make a concrete move for Leao, presenting the Portuguese player with a contract offer of 12 million euros net per season—nearly double what he currently earns with the Rossoneri. However, talks between the Turkish club and Milan had stalled over the transfer fee, with Cardinale initially holding firm on his demand of 60 million. Previously, Fenerbahçe had also come forward with a loan offer that included an option to buy, but Leao himself had put the brakes on the deal, as he was not convinced by the idea of moving to Turkey. The Rossoneri’s No. 10 remains set on the Premier League, though no concrete offers have materialized there so far.
Leao’s situation is part of a Rossoneri transfer market that remains very active. Amorim has ruled out several players from the roster following the Asian tour: Tomori, Odogu, Fofana, and Nkunku—the latter signed just a year ago for 37 million euros—are no longer part of the plan and are no longer training with the rest of the squad. Among the departures already all but confirmed is that of Santiago Gimenez, who is now close to joining Porto on a loan deal with an option to buy for around 20–22 million euros.
On the incoming front, Milan is working on multiple fronts to complete the roster before the transfer window closes. In defense, the main target is now Tiago Gabriel of Lecce, while Gonçalo Inácio of Sporting Lisbon is slipping away. In midfield, Atalanta’s Nicola Zalewski is being evaluated, while for the wings, the names being tracked are those of Nuno Tavares of Lazio and Dodo of Fiorentina. Finally, a sensational offer has been made to Arsenal for Ethan Nwaneri, the Gunners’ 19-year-old talent: reports suggest a loan with an option to buy for 40 million euros, with Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig ready to compete with the Rossoneri.
