Senior AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists Rafael Leao will “remain” at the Italian giants despite links with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
- Leao linked with PSG and Chelsea
- Milan want to keep Portuguese winger
- Ibrahimovic says he’s going nowhere
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 25-year-old has long been a transfer target of PSG and Chelsea but his reported £150 million ($189m) release clause is likely to put off potential suitors. Now, Rossoneri legend Ibrahimovic says Leao, goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and left-back Theo Hernandez are all staying put.
WHAT ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC SAID
The 42-year-old said at a press conference: “Maignan, Theo and Leao remain. They are the strongest in their roles, they have a contract with us and I’m happy about it. I don’t need domino effects to appear. Thanks to RedBird’s (majority owners of Milan) work we can buy strong players: the club has already brought in 12 players laying the foundation for the future. This is the second year; we have to improve through the details and every day, we have a scouting system all over the world and every day. To close a purchase you need a process. What is important is the right profile.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Of the aforementioned trio, Leao, in particular, is the most highly-rated and holding onto him is a must for the Italian giants. He scored nine goals and bagged 10 assists in Serie A this season and still has four years left on his contract. New Milan boss Paulo Fonseca will certainly want to keep hold of him for next season as they look to win trophies once more.
WHAT NEXT?
Leao, who has also been linked with a money-spinning move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, is currently gearing up to play for Portugal in the Euros in Germany, with Roberto Martinez’s side beginning their campaign on Tuesday against the Czech Republic.
