According to reports, Arsenal are considering a move to bring in AC Milan forward Rafael Leao in the summer. The 22-year-old striker has emerged as one of the brightest talents in Italy, with various other Premier League clubs also showing interest.
Rafael Leao has emerged as a top player for AC Milan this season, scoring 7 goals in 22 Serie A appearances. The Portuguese mostly operates as a left-winger but can also play in the No.9 role. Since joining the Rossoneri in 2019 from LOSC Lille, he has scored a total of 23 goals and made 15 assists.
He completed 100 games for the Italian club the previous weekend and also scored a memorable goal. A 75.8m pass from keeper Mike Maignan was followed by a delicate first touch from Leao. He sent the defender away from him as he put the ball into the back of the net. The action took just 8 seconds. It was a routine that they have frequently tried in games this season.
🏟️ The stadium's still shaking, how's your buzz? ⚡#MilanSampdoria #SempreMilan@skrill pic.twitter.com/W0YtImp7WZ
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 14, 2022
According to Fichajes (via The Sun), Arsenal are interested in signing Rafael Leao in the summer transfer window. However, they face competition from Newcastle United, who are looking to further bolster their squad in the summer if they escape relegation.
Now, according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato (via Sports Illustrated), Manchester City have joined the race to sign the Portuguese forward. The report states that the Premier League giants are long-time admirers of the 22-year-old winger and are closely monitoring the situation.
The Sporting CP graduate joined LOSC Lille on a free transfer in 2018 after terminating his contract with the Portuguese club. Back in 2018, a group of 50 men barged into the Sporting CP’s training facility. They walked into the locker room and physically assaulted players and coaching staff for a run of poor results.
This led to a furore among players. Some even terminated their contracts. As did young Leao. He then moved to France and a year later, he signed for AC Milan. Sporting CP later filed a complaint with FIFA claiming that Leao owed his €45 million release clause. In 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) ordered Leao to pay a sum of £13.8 million because of contract termination.
Leao then appealed to the Lisbon Court of Appeal to have the decision overturned. However, according to Calcio e Finanza (via The Mirror), he has been unsuccessful in his attempts to get the verdict annulled. It now depends on the player to appeal to the Portuguese Supreme Court or pay the amount.
AC Milan are looking to extend the contracts of top-level players at the club. Theo Hernandez has already extended his contract. Ismaël Bennacer’s is in progress. Leao’s contract talks are currently stalled as the player waits for the verdict on the contract dispute case with the Portuguese club. His current contract runs up to 2024.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal are looking to bolster their attack after a quiet winter transfer window. The Rossoneri are fighting for the Italian crown this season. Moreover, AC Milan are in a position to guarantee their Champions League participation next season while Arsenal are still eyeing for the position.
With the likely exits of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in the summer, Rafael Leao would ignite the new project under Arteta. Even if Arsenal does secure a position for Champions League, it would cost them a huge amount of money to bring the player to the Emirates. Arsenal shouldn’t base him as a primary target.
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