NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan, Man of the Match during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The wait is finally over, and Milan fans can relax. Their best player Rafael Leao has ended speculation regarding his future by signing a new five-year contract with the Rossoneri.
The negotiations have been going on for over ten months, but the outcome is positive. Technical director Paolo Maldini and sporting director Frederic Massara put in a lot of work to reach an agreement with the Portuguese international and make him the face of Milan for years to come.
The 23-year-old speed demon has got a huge raise according to his ability and proven track record. His salary rose from €1.5 million to €5 million – with another €2 million possible in bonuses.
A release clause has been included in the deal as well. If any club offers €175 million, they will be allowed to talk to the player and offer him a contract without Milan’s objection.
One of the conditions for the deal to be reached was for Leao’s previous club LOSC Lille to pay his former club Sporting Clube de Portugal €22 million fee, which the French club failed to pay when Leao first joined them in 2018.
The court ordered Lille to pay Sporting, leaving Milan with no obligation to deal with the Portuguese club.Leao joined Milan in August 2019 for €30 million and was a part of the Scudetto-winning team in 2022.
He has played a total of 162 games, scoring 41 goals and providing36 assists. This season alone, he has 14 goals and 15 assists.
