Speaking to Sky Sport Italia microphones, Italian journalist Manuele Baiocchini took stock of the negotiations for the renewal of Rafael Leao. Here are his words:
"Milan wants to renew Leao's contract because it expires in 2024, and it would mean that if Milan were to arrive next summer to one year until expiry, it would have less contractual force to be able to keep the player. We have been working on this contract for several months, there are many obstacles to overcome; from having two representatives (double power of attorneys) to the legal dispute with Sporting."
"There is money that must go back to the Portuguese club's coffers. Everything works to work on Leao's contract renewal, who in the last days of August received a very important offer from Chelsea and for this reason Jorge Mendes, who is his current agent, is asking for very high figures: around 6-7 million euros. These are figures that are higher than AC Milan's salary ceiling, which I believe this time will make an exception for a player who wants to keep now and for the future."
On Leao's renewal issue, the journalist added:
"Also, Milan want to renew to continue to have bargaining power should a top club arrive to make an indispensable offer in the coming months or years. But, if the other AC Milan players see a higher contract than theirs, they will not have to be enticed by the fact that AC Milan have raised the salary ceiling but will have to think that an exception has been made for a player who represents a top player and whom AC Milan absolutely do not want to lose, much less at a cost lower than its real value."
