Arsenal will have to pay €175m to sign Leao

Tom Hancock

11 May 2023 22:32 BST
3 min read

Rafael Leao, Milan, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Arsenal’s chances of signing Rafael Leao this summer have effectively been scuppered by the winger signing a new contract at AC Milan with an enormous release clause.

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Leao is set to extend his stay at the San Siro until the summer of 2028, putting an end to speculation surrounding his future – at least for now…

The Portugal star, 23, will reportedly be paid a base salary of €5m a season by the Italian giants – who he joined from Lille back in 2019.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leao’s new deal contains a release clause worth an eye-watering €175m – the kind of fee that only a select few clubs with extremely deep pockets could even dream of affording.

Not that such a condition should come as much of a surprise given the extremely high regard in which Milan hold Leao.

Speaking earlier this week, technical director and club icon Paolo Maldini stated in no uncertain terms: “He is our best player – and he was the best player of last season.”

© ProShots - Leao is Milan's joint top scorer this season with 13 goals in all competitions

Arsenal to chase other targets as Milan hope for Leao return

Arsenal, they will have to set their sights elsewhere as they look to bolster their squad in readiness for a crack at the Champions League next season.

While they look set to miss out on the Premier League title to Manchester City after faltering in recent weeks, the Gunners will return to Europe’s top club competition in 2023/24 – after six years away.

Meanwhile, Milan will be desperate to have Leao back fit for next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg against arch-rivals Inter – having lost 2-0 in the first leg on Wednesday night.