News regarding Lille could see Milan break through in Leao talks after latest offer

It is believed that a turning point could be around the corner in the Rafael Leao renewal talks with news regarding the fine owed to Sporting CP.

Calciomercato.com recall how Milan signed Leao from Lille for €29.5m in the summer of 2019 and the plan is to continue a relationship together that took Leao from a rising star of European football to a true international champion.

Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara’s offer to the winger is €7m net per season as a fixed salary plus €3m in signing bonuses to extend his contract expiring in June 2024. Thanks to the advantages of the Growth Decree, the gross amount would be €10.5m per year.

A verbal agreement has been reached with Leao, demonstrating both his will to remain wearing the Rossoneri shirt and his desire to continue to grow as part of the current project. Now the remaining obstacle is the fine.

The balance stands at €22m to be paid to Sporting CP and confirmed by the DRC (Dispute Resolution Chamber), a body set up by FIFA to adjudicate the dispute. The case will go back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who already declared Lille as being co-responsible for the payment, together with Leao himself.

However, the report also cites La Gazzetta dello Sport in claiming that Lille – who will get between 15% and 20% of the amount from a future resale – have shown their willingness t pay this amount in full.

This fundamental step should mean that a multi-year renewal with Milan is imminent, but Sporting are not making things easy and are likely to try and get €45m which is the amount of Leao’s release clause while he was under contract with them.

The Milan management are continuing to monitor things in collaboration with the two clubs, wanting to put an end to this infinite case and to resolve Leao’s future.