SACK Fonseca or I join Barcelona! Rafa Leao ready to quit AC Milan

Carlo Garganese

• 3 Nov 2024 12:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Rafael Leao is demanding to leave AC Milan in January unless Paulo Fonseca is sacked, with super agent Jorge Mendes working on bringing the superstar to Barcelona.

Leao is no longer a first team player at Milan, having started on the bench for the club’s last three Serie A fixtures against Udinese, Napoli and Monza.

In Milan’s last Champions League match versus Club Brugge a fortnight ago, Leao was hooked with the scores at 1-1 in a game that the Rossoneri then went on to win 3-1.

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According to all media, the relationship between Leao and his manager Fonseca is now at rock-bottom.

According to Matteo Moretto, the pair are no longer on speaking terms.

Fonseca succeeded Stefano Pioli in the summer, but two Portuguese duo have failed to gel so far. Earlier this season against Lazio, Leao refused to attend a mid-game team talk by Fonseca after having been benched by him before the match.

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The relationship has deteriorated with every passing day in the last fortnight.

The message coming from Fonseca’s camp is that the manager is unhappy with Leao’s defensive contributions, workrate and pressing. He believes he is too much of an individualist, not a team player, and this makes it difficult to create a cohesive unit.

Leao himself, who has looked disinterested and depressed on the pitch when he has played in recent games, has now reached breaking point.

The 25-year-old is reported by many outlets as being ready to quit Milan as early as January if Fonseca remains in charge.

Fonseca himself is at risk of the axe after a difficult start to the season, with the Rossoneri well off the Scudetto pace and down in seventh position in Serie A.

Milan may now have to choose between their star man and their manager if the relationship can’t be repaired soon.

Leao only penned a new contract last year, but that has not stopped him from being frequently linked with a move away, with Chelsea, PSG and Barcelona in particular big admirers of him.

In fact, Moretto reports that Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes is working behind the scenes to try and bring Leao to Barcelona.

Mendes has a very close relationship with the Blaugrana, who would love to sign Leao.

Leao’s €175m release clause is far too expensive for Barcelona but Mendes hopes to negotiate a deal that is affordable.