Milan Transfer Market: Rafa Leao to Leave at the End of the Window—Roma’s Plan

“Leao isn’t important”: During Saturday’s press conference, Ruben Amorim sent another clear message to Rafael Leao, who is not only no longer indispensable to Milan but is also on the list of players to be sold, awaiting the right offer. The Rossoneri have been waiting in vain for concrete offers that have yet to materialize, but they remain confident that the situation could change toward the end of the transfer window.

The Rossoneri aren’t looking so much toward Saudi Arabia and Turkey (options the player has rejected) or the Premier League (no English club has come forward so far), but rather toward Roma, which has expressed interest in the player, the left winger that Gian Piero Gasperini has been seeking for some time.

The deal could come together toward the end of the transfer window: if no other offers come in, Gerry Cardinale will look favorably upon the Giallorossi’s proposal, which, according to rumors, could involve a loan with a fee of approximately 4 million euros and a mandatory buyout clause of 41 million euros upon fulfillment of certain conditions. This is reported by Sportmediaset. In addition, the Giallorossi would cover 80% of the player’s salary, taking advantage of the “decreto crescita” (growth decree), to comply with the salary cap of 8 million euros gross annual salary.

Galatasaray had presented Leao with an offer of 40 million euros plus bonuses, accompanied by a contract worth 12 million net per season—nearly double what he currently earns—but the Portuguese player is not convinced about moving to Turkey. Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal had also come forward with a financially attractive proposal, around 15 million net per season, but the Saudi destination remains unappealing to the player. From the Premier League, however, despite Leao’s stated wishes after the World Cup, no concrete offer has yet landed on Mendes’ desk.