A major update on the future of AC Milan star Rafael Leao has come to the fore online on Thursday.
And the news will no doubt be met with widespread jubilation across the Rossoneri’s loyal fanbase.
This comes amid claims that the explosive wide-man has finally agreed to a long-awaited contract extension at San Siro.
The name of Portuguese international Leao, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the European media headlines for some time now.
This comes as the 23-year-old, fresh off leading Milan to a first Scudetto title in over a decade, stood firm in his demands to extend his terms in Lombardy.
This, in turn, opened the door for a number of European football’s heavyweights, with big-spending Chelsea having long been touted as a potential landing spot in the case of Leao’s Milan departure.
Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Bologna at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy on 27/08/22 (Alamy Stock Photo)
This comes amid widespread claims that Leao has finally agreed to commit to a new deal.
As per Italian journalist Matteo Moretto, the 18-time capped international has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the powers that be at San Siro, ahead of putting pen to paper on new-and-improved terms.
The contract is expected to be worth a sum in the region of €5 million-per-season, making Leao one of the highest-paid players in Stefano Pioli’s squad.
Not only that, but it is added:
‘Milan will agree to pay the fine of almost 19 million euros that the Portuguese would have had to pay Sporting de Lisboa for having unilaterally terminated his contract with the club, after the attacks by fans on the sports city in May 2018.’
Acuerdo verbal entre el Milan y Leão para la renovación.
▫️El Milan se comprometerá a pagar la multa al Sporting de Lisboa.
▫️Rafa se convertiría en uno de los mejores pagados de la plantilla.En @relevo. https://t.co/HhDSD2Etzc
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) April 6, 2023