Revealed: Real Madrid have put aside €80m to sign Milan star

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are prepared to pay €80 million for Milan star Rafael Leao, who helped the Rossoneri to the Serie A title last season.

Leao registered 11 goals and 10 assists in 2021-22, ending Milan's 11-year drought for a title.

And the Portugal international has six goals and four assists in 14 appearances in this campaign.

MORE: Chelsea ready to exchange two stars in Raphael Leao deal

According to Italian outlet CalcioMercato, Madrid president Florentino Perez has decided to make Leao the next 'Galactico'.

But his rise to stardom hasn’t gone unnoticed, and many of Europe's top clubs are interested in bringing him in to better their sides.

These are the four leading contenders to sign exciting prospect Leao next summer.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid are in the market for an attacking player, following Kylian Mbappe’s contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain.

The European champions spent big on Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer, but have the capacity to do so again with Leao.

Leao could be seen as a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema, but would create an exceptional front three alongside Vinicius Junior in the short team.

Chelsea

Chelsea are a club in need of a forward, having had disapointing seasons in front of goal for several years.

They need to bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku up front, and Leao could be that player.

New owner Todd Boehly will be willing to tale risks in the transfer market, in order to back Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge.

Paris Saint-Germain

PSG aren’t in desperate need for another attacking player, but should they be able to offload Neymar, it could be a possibility that they sign one.

They were linked with a move for Robert Lewandowski in the summer, but Leao could be a different, younger option next summer.

Despite the Parisian club's riches, it’s the fee that could hold them back, as Milan will be looking to make around €100 million, something that the Ligue 1 club may be unwilling to pay.

Manchester City

Once again, a club that doesn’t have an immediate need to sign an attacking player, having already struck a deal for Erling Haaland, but an option that may still exist.

The Premier League champions could be looking to upgrade on Jack Grealish, should he continue to struggle to find form.