Rafael Leao to Decide AC Milan Future After World Cup Amid Chelsea Links

Rafael Leao to Decide AC Milan Future After World Cup Amid Chelsea Links

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Rafael Leao has confirmed positive contract talks have taken place with AC Milan
  • The winger says any decision on his club future will be decided after the World Cup
  • Chelsea are said to be very interested in bringing the Portugal star to Stamford Bridge

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has confirmed he put contract discussions with the Italian club on hold until after the World Cup.

Leao is currently with Portugal in Qatar, but has confirmed that the round of talks held with the Serie A club's director, Paolo Maldini before the Mundial were positive.

However, he will not make any decision until he returns to Milan in January.

Rafael Leao, Portugal, AC Milan, Chelsea, World Cup
Portugal winger Rafael Leao will only decide his AC Milan future after the World Cup. Photo by Marco Luzzani.
Source: Getty Images

Leao helped AC Milan win their first Serie A title since 2011. He was also named the league's MVP, and with a year left on his contract after this season, the Italians are looking to tie him down to a new contract.

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Leao's statement on club future

Leao has confirmed he is in no rush to decide on his future and wants to focus on the World Cup with Portugal. He confirmed this to Gazzetta dello Sport:

''I am happy and proud. I have to stay focused on the World Cup, then I’ll speak with Milan upon my return. Renewal? We already had a meeting with Maldini just before joining the national team; it was a positive meeting. Once I return to Milan, we will discuss it better.”

How much will Leao cost?

According to Football London, if Leao decides to leave the Serie A giants at the end of the current season and move to Chelsea, he will cost at least £90m.

The figure will be inflated by the £13.8m the winger owes Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon for terminating his contract unilaterally in 2019, as reported by Mirror. This was after fans of the club attacked the training ground.

Leao joined Lille after leaving Portugal, joining AC Milan a year later, where he has refined his game to be one of the best and hottest wingers in world football.

Rafael Leao, Portugal, Uruguay, World Cup, Federico Valverde
Rafael Leao is all smiles while in action for Portugal against Uruguay. Photo by Manuel Reino Berengui.
Source: Getty Images

Nkunku and Chelsea in partnership?

Sports Brief earlier reported that Christopher Nkunku and Chelsea agreed to the terms of his transfer from RB Leipzig, with the French attacker to switch to England in the summer of 2023.

Nkunku was named Bundesliga player of the year last season while Leao was Serie A MVP, and with Todd Boehly looking to bring both to Chelsea, the club's attack could take a new look.

The French is currently out injured. He was forced to withdraw from his nation's World Cup squad after suffering the injury at training for Les Bleus.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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