Ancelotti contacts Maldini about Milan ace Rafael Leao amid Real Madrid links
Cameron Smith
- 7 Jun 2022 17:22 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has contacted AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini regarding Rafael Leao following transfer speculation linking the Portuguese star with a move to the Spanish capital.
Leao enjoyed a brilliant 2021/22 campaign and his late-season form helped push Milan over the line and secure their first Scudetto since 2011. He scored three and assisted six in the final six games of the season as Milan narrowly clinched the title from their city rivals Inter.
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This form earned plaudits from across the continent and as a result Leao has been touted for a move elsewhere.
Arsenal, Manchester City and most notably Real Madrid have all been linked with a move for the forward, with the latter reportedly viewing him as an alternative to Kylian Mbappe following the Frenchman's contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain.
With 26 goals and assists in 42 games during the season just finished, Leao has enjoyed a breakout campaign onto the world stage after several encouraging years first in Ligue 1 and at Milan last campaign.
Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid's Leao status
While Real Madrid have been linked with the tricky winger, Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly phoned Paolo Maldini to confirm the club won't be attempting to sign Leao this summer.
Ancelotti, who worked with Maldini during his own time at Milan, is understood to have told Milan's technical director that a move for Leao doesn't interest Los Blancos, to ease any concerns the Italian side may have had.
That is according to Corriere dello Sport, who have also reported that Milan are readying a new contract offer that will triple Leao's current wages and make him one of Serie A's biggest earners. The proposed new deal will also expire in 2026, keeping the ace at the club for a further four years.
Leao's current contract is set to expire next summer, which has caused Milan to act fast as they try to convince the player to extend his stay at San Siro.
