Will Chelsea-target Rafa Leao and Olivier Giroud move this summer?

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 8 Mar 2023 19:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Rafa Leao’s future at AC Milan past this summer is looking increasingly bleak as contract talks make little headway.

Leao’s contract at San Siro expires in 2024, meaning Milan will be forced to sell him this summer if they cannot agree a new deal in the coming months.

The Portuguese attacker is demanding €8 million in order to renew, whereas Milan won’t go above €6.5m.

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Another issue over the renewal is that Milan are refusing to pay for the compensation that Leao owes to former club Sporting Lisbon. The forward has been ordered to pay Sporting €19.5m after losing a court case over breach of contract.

Leao walked away from Sporting as a free agent in 2018 after the club’s training ground was invaded by fans, claiming it threatened his safety as an employee.

But Leao lost the legal case and he wants the club who he signs his new contract with to pay this compensation.

Milan do not want to sell Leao and want to build their team around him in the next few years.

However, contract negotiations are proving to be difficult for a player who is being targeted by Chelsea and is also of interest to Man Utd, PSG and Real Madrid.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan have slapped a €100 million asking price on Leao.

Will Giroud stay at Milan?

Things look a lot more promising for Olivier Giroud’s chances of staying at Milan next season.

Giroud’s contract at San Siro expires at the end of the season, meaning he is already able to negotiate a Bosman Transfer with other clubs.

There has been a lot of interest in him from the Premier League, despite the fact that he turns 37 later this year.

However, Giroud is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal in the coming month or so.

Milan have recently raised their salary offer to Giroud from €3.2m a year to €3.7m.

Both player and club want to continue together, with the Frenchman having been outstanding since arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2021.

Both Rafa Leao and Giroud are in action on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 against Tottenham.