Bayern Munich are serious in their pursuit of Rafael Leao, while AC Milan are hesitant to let go of their No.10 this summer. Nevertheless, as highlighted by a report, the situation could always change with a big offer.
As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport this morning (see photo at the bottom), while Leao’s situation remains complicated as always, there are three certainties. First of all, Milan want to keep him, with Igli Tare and Max Allegri convinced that they can make the most of his talent.
Secondly, there is a very hefty €175m release clause in Leao’s contract, and it’s clear that no club will pay that kind of money for the winger. Finally, Bayern Munich have expressed a concrete interest and could change everything with a high offer, having also attracted Leao’s attention.
Milan keen on keeping Leao
Above all, it will have to be understood what the Milan management considers to be an irrefutable offer. Leao earns €7m per season including bonuses and he would earn even more at Bayern, seeing as much of the big get above €8m per year at the club.
Milan, on the other hand, has no need to sell their No.10. Tijjani Reijnders has confirmed his move to Manchester City, Mike Maignan is one step away from Chelsea and Theo Hernandez has one foot out the door, despite the rejected Al-Hilal approach.
If the problem was initially cash, that is no longer the case thanks to those sales. Leao could thus remain at the club without any problems and this is something that both Allegri and Tare have stressed. They see the winger as a focal point for the project.
The club, on the other hand, has no need to sell. Reijnders is essentially from City, Maignan close to Chelsea, Theo Hernandez has rejected Al Hilal but remains with one foot out of Milanello. If the problem was to cash in, the solution has been found. The challenge with Leao would be different: Allegri and Tare want to keep him to give him new motivation.
Counterpart solution not without issues
Bayern Munich’s interest is concrete and it’s possible that this could change the situation. It doesn’t depend on the Club World Cup either, with the Germans willing to welcome him in July instead. The bigger question is whether they can get close to Milan’s asking price with a counterpart.
Some key candidates have emerged in that sense: Kim Min-jae, Kingsley Coman, Bryan Zaragoza, Joao Palhinha and Leon Goretzka. These are some very notable names, it goes without saying, but the path to all of them is not downhill.
Min-jae, for example, has a very high salary of around €9m per season and this is far too much for Milan. The same argument can be applied to Coman, Goretzka and Palhinha, with the youngster Zarahoza the only one with a reasonable salary.
In short, even with a counterpart involved, some negotiation skills would be needed to convince the player to l
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