As per multiple reports, Los Blancos are reportedly targeting the services of Serie A’s Most Valuable Player of the Season for 2021/22 Rafael Leao, failing in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe.
The Portuguese starlet scored 11 times while setting his teammates up 10 times further – including all three of his side’s goals in the title-winning success on the final day of the campaign at Sassuolo – in 34 appearances in the league, as the Rossoneri beat rivals Inter Milan to the Serie A title.
As confirmed by Milan’s technical director Paulo Maldini, Leao has a 150 million euros release clause in his current contract, but reports claim Real are prepared to pay up to 120 million to Milan for Leao’s services.
On the contrary, the newly-crowned Serie A champions are hoping to tie the forward down until 2026, their intentions confirmed by Maldini in an interview he gave to the media following the win at Sassuolo.
“He is untouchable, that is for sure. He is still a rough diamond and improved a lot in a year. We signed him when he was a bench player at Lille for €24M and inserted a €150M release clause because we believed in him a lot.
“He has always been a potential champion and just needed some help. In the future, things might change if Milan were not at his level or vice versa. But both are in a period of exponential growth right now.”
Maldini said.
Meanwhile, Milan are planning for life with Leao involved for the season ahead. The Rossoneri are closing in on the signing of forward Divock Origi on a free transfer after the Belgian left Premier League runners-up Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract.
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Reports have also linked the European heavyweights to Lille pair Renato Sanches and Sven Botman – who are expected at the San Siro to replace the outgoing Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli.
