AC Milan are prepared to sell forward Rafael Leao for a fee of just €50 million this summer, according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport. The dramatic reduction in the club's asking price, which stood at more than double that figure six months ago, signals a rapid decline in the 26-year-old's standing at San Siro, with Manchester United among the clubs monitoring the situation.
This marks a stark fall from grace for a player once considered one of Serie A's crown jewels. In the 2021/22 season, Rafael Leao was named Milan's Most Valuable Player as they won the Scudetto, contributing 11 goals and 10 assists in 34 league appearances. His explosive performances on the left wing led to serious interest from Chelsea, with reports at the time suggesting a potential transfer fee could reach €120 million.
Milan moved to secure his future in 2023 with a lucrative new contract worth €7 million per year, which included a €175 million release clause valid for one year. However, according to analysis, the new deal did not lead to an upturn in performance. Despite registering 15 goals and 14 assists in the 2023/24 campaign, Leao began to face criticism from the San Siro faithful, particularly after disappointing displays in the Europa League against Roma.
The relationship has deteriorated further this season under head coach Max Allegri. Leao was dropped to the bench for disciplinary reasons early in the campaign and has since publicly clashed with the coach. Although he remains Milan's top scorer this term, he has not scored in two months and was met with boos from home supporters during recent matches against Udinese and Juventus. FootballTransfers' algorithm currently values him at €70.7 million, indicating Milan's reported €50m price tag is a significant discount driven by the strained environment.
The situation has alerted several Premier League clubs. FootballTransfers has previously reported Arsenal's interest, while Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all understood to be in the market for a left-sided attacker. Data analytics firm SciSports notes that while Leao's SciSkill rating shows a period of 'significant decline' over the last 18 months, it also suggests he retains the potential to return to his peak level with the right conditions.
For Milan, the decision to sell appears to be one of practicality, cutting their losses on a high-earning player whose relationship with the club and its supporters has broken down. For any buying club, the proposed fee represents a calculated gamble on reviving a talent who, at his best, was one of Europe's most thrilling forwards. The coming summer window and the World Cup at the end of the year will be crucial platforms for Rafael Leao to either reignite his career elsewhere or rebuild his value.
