The agent of AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has offered his client to Real Madrid, but the Spanish champions are currently unwilling to meet the Rossoneri’s valuation for the Portugal international.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jorge Mendes opened talks with Real Madrid in February to find Leao a move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, but nothing has come of the discussions as of yet.
Leao is out of contract at Milan in June 2024 and lengthy negotiations for an extension are yet to yield an agreement, increasing the pressure on the outgoing Italian champions to make a decision on whether to sell him in the summer.
Milan will reopen contract talks
The 23-year-old is reported to have turned down a contract proposal earlier this year and whilst Milan remain hopeful that he will commit his future to the Rossoneri, no further discussions are expected until April.
AC Milan are boosted by a reluctance on Real Madrid‘s part to make an immediate move for Leao though, with other transfer plans making a deal this summer increasingly unlikely.
Whilst Mendes was in talks with directors at Real Madrid, these have not progressed due to the Merengues’ desire to avoid paying a substantial transfer fee for Leao, and they would rather wait a further year to secure him on a free transfer.
With the Portuguese star yet to settle a €16.5 million dispute with former club Sporting CP after breaking free of his contract in 2018, Real Madrid are wary of being required to cover this additional cost should they swoop for him.
Leao terminated his contract with the Lisbon club after a group of fans broke into their training ground to threaten the squad, but must now pay compensation.
Bellingham & Vinicius Jr. blocking Leao move
Carlo Ancelotti‘s side are set to focus their attention on a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, leaving little room to commit funds to another expensive acquisition in Leao.
This is coupled with the excellent form of Brazil international Vinicius Junior, meaning that strengthening the left attacking forward position is low on the list of priorities for the La Liga giants.
Leao joined AC Milan from Lille in 2019 and he has scored 36 goals in 147 appearances, helping the Rossoneri win the Serie A title last season.
