As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport in today's print edition, for the renewal of Leao 65 million euros are needed. The player is asking for 7 million euros net per season and it is possible that the deal is closed at 6 instead.
Therefore, to the new salary, which would weigh 45-50 million, the compensation to Sporting Lisbon must be added. The Portuguese press reported a meeting that would have taken place in recent months between Paolo Maldini and Sporting. Meeting in which the Lisbon club allegedly demanded the payment of interest on the compensation of 16.5 million set by the courts. The contacts between the interested parties have been going on for months, so much so that in April an agreement was reached for 14 million, for a transaction with immediate payment. The Lille club would have paid half of that sum. However, Leao did not like the solution, who obviously would have had to pay part of the amount, and his "no" ruined the deal.
Since then, the green-and-white club have obtained distraint of the attacker's salary, which so far has made it possible to recover about half a million.
The French lawyer with whom the attacker signed a power of attorney six months ago is fighting with Jorge Mendes, historical representative. AC Milan director Paolo Maldini knows that that contract expiring in just 19 months can quickly become a problem, especially if the procedure of Rafael Leao's renewal is not resolved by January. Manchester City are now increasingly interested and Chelsea are too. The feeling is that Milan could be convinced to sell for a transfer fee worth 120 million euros. Between January and summer there will be a lot of talk, that's for sure. Unless, as the Milan fans hope, a way is found to untie the knot before it becomes too tangled.
