Rafael Leao provides latest transfer update amid Liverpool & Real Madrid interest
Cameron Smith
- 25 Sept 2023 19:24 BST
- 4 min read
Rafael Leao has insisted that he will not move to the Saudi Pro League as “a Champions League is worth more than a salary of €10 million.”
The Portugal international helped Milan reach the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, but they were beaten by Inter in the last four.
However, Leao is determined to bring European silverware back to San Siro and is not swayed by the possibility of moving to the lucrative Saudi Arabia.
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The 24-year-old was interviewed by GQ Portugal and was asked about whether he will leave the club.
“You can never say never, but I’m in a club that welcomed me very well,” he said, via Football Italia. I’ve renewed my contract now, if I was thinking of leaving I wouldn’t have renewed it, I’m focused on doing great things in the next two or three years with Milan.”
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for Leao over the past year, but he signed a contract extension at San Siro in June 2023.
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Leao was then questioned about following in the footsteps of his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo and joining the Saudi Pro League.
He replied: “I have not yet achieved great results to go to a league like that. In recent days money has spoken louder, but for me a Champions League is worth more than a salary of €10m, for example.”
Success with Milan
Leao also spoke of his desire to bring success to the Rossoneri. “I believe that the club is on the right path,” he revealed. “We managed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. Now the club’s objective must be to continue to rise, to continue to add, to continue to be strong.
“And I’m sure that Milan will soon return to winning a Champions League, which is our goal. I speak for myself, I’m young, I’m a player who wants to win big things, the Champions League I think is every player’s dream and we are working for this.
“Even though we are young, we have already played more than 50 games in Serie A, more than 20 in the Champions League, we already have some experience.
“We can take this experience and this freshness of being young and apply it on the pitch to reach our goals.”
Leao has scored three goals and provided two assists in five Serie A appearances so far this season.
