PSG want Leao to replace Messi

Stuart Telford

• 24 Mar 2023 10:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain will move for AC Milan's Rafael Leao if Lionel Messi leaves at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy.

Messi's PSG future is uncertain with the recent Argentina World Cup winner thus far refusing to agree fresh terms on a contract which expires in June.

A return to Barcelona has begun to look increasingly likely, although he also has interest from David Beckham's Inter Miami and the Middle East.

READ: How Barcelona could line up with Lionel Messi

With Kylian Mbappe continuing to flirt with Real Madrid, the chances are that PSG will need to bolster their attack one way or another quite soon, and there could be an opportunity with Leao this summer.

"Rafael Leao is the name that sporting director [Luis] Campos intends to work on in the coming weeks," report Calcio Mercato, who then state that Milan plan to tie him down.

Milan's hands could be tied

"[But] PSG remain a serious threat considering that there is a €150 million release clause in Rafa's contract. And Milan, to date, is obligated to respect this stipulation."

READ: Who is Rafa Leao? The 'new Thierry Henry' wanted by Chelsea and Man Utd

Milan sporting director and club legend Paolo Maldini has previously stated that the club have no intention of selling Leao, but his release clause could take that decision out of his hands.

PSG have a history of meeting release clauses - most famously when they activated Neymar's Barcelona one in 2017, the Brazilian's subsequent €222m transfer making him the most expensive player of all time.

Leao would no doubt have Neymar for company at the Parc des Princes. Injured for now, Neymar has enjoyed a best-ever season in France, and had plundered 18 goals and 17 assists this season before undergoing ankle surgery in February.

Neymar's contract runs until June 2025, with the player retaining an option to extend his stay by another year at that point.