Manchester United have been offered the opportunity to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan for a fee between €40 million and €50 million, a significant reduction from his previous €175 million release clause. The change in valuation comes after a period of upheaval at the San Siro, culminating in the sackings of head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada on Monday.
Milan’s ownership group, RedBird Capital, are undertaking a “comprehensive reorganisation of football operations” following a disappointing season that saw the club miss out on Champions League qualification on the final day. This failure to secure a top-four spot in Serie A means Milan will compete in the Europa League next season, and a significant player turnover is anticipated as a result.
Leao, 26, has been identified as a player who could be sold, despite previously being considered untouchable. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that “many will leave” as part of the club’s restructuring. While the Portuguese winger remains a talented player, his recent form and attitude have reportedly come under scrutiny, with sources suggesting he has struggled to adapt to no longer being Milan’s key player.
The reduced asking price is also influenced by the financial implications of missing out on Champions League revenue. Manchester United have reportedly “reactivated” their long-standing interest in Leao, and a fee of €50 million could represent a good value acquisition, given his Estimated Transfer Value currently stands at €63.6 million. However, United will be aware of his inconsistent performances over the past two seasons.
Competition for Leao’s signature is also emerging from Turkey, with both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray expressing interest. Fenerbahce are undergoing their own period of transition following the sacking of coach Domenico Tedesco and director Devin Ozek, and a presidential election in early July could impact their transfer plans. Galatasaray are reportedly prepared to offer Leao a substantial pay rise, almost doubling his current salary to €10 million per year. The outcome of this transfer saga remains uncertain, but Leao’s future at Milan appears increasingly unlikely.
