Liverpool want to sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as he continues to stall on a new contract with the Italian Champions.
That’s according to Calciomercat.it, who claim that the Reds are well positioned to capitalise should Leao become available.
They suggest that Liverpool aren’t the best-placed team, though. That honour lies with both Chelsea and PSG, who are said to be the most ‘vigilant’ to the 23-year-old’s situation.
Leao’s current contract is due to expire in 2024. With a release clause set at £130m, he perhaps isn’t out of reach for the likes of PSG and Chelsea. For Liverpool though, this would seem like an unreasonably large amount.
Leao not top of Liverpool’s list
In terms of ability alone, there’s little doubt about Leao’s suitability for Liverpool. Long seen as a potential superstar, the Portugal international has finally started to realise his enormous talent.
Voted Serie A’s MVP last season and absolutely crucial to Milan’s Scudetto, he is looking to be fairly compensated by the Rossoneri.
Should talks break down, it’s clear that Leao would still find himself at one of Europe’s top clubs.
But let’s be honest, that isn’t going to be Liverpool. For one thing, this report claims that, should they be forced to entertain a sale next summer, Milan wouldn’t even think about less than £87m.
Not beyond Liverpool, but given that a left-sided forward isn’t anywhere near the top of their shopping list, it’s too much.
If things go to plan, the Reds will be parting with somewhere in the region of £100m for Jude Bellingham this summer. Beyond that, it’s desperately unlikely that Liverpool sign off on another big deal in the same window.
So, unfortunately, we can’t see this one happening. Not that Leao isn’t worth the money. He’s come on leaps and bounds at Milan and was recently called ‘incredible’ by Chelsea’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang via Sempre Milan.
He’ll make a top signing for wherever he ends up, but that surely won’t be Liverpool.
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