Liverpool have been linked with a move for the AC Milan forward Rafael Leao and might offer a part-exchange deal for him.
According to a report from Calciomercatoweb, Liverpool could prepare a cash-plus-player move for 23-year-old Portuguese international Rafael Leao. AC Milan value their talisman at around €150 million.
Leao has been outstanding for AC Milan since joining the club, helping them win the Serie A title last season. He has been quite effective this season as well. And it is no surprise that the top clubs are keeping tabs on him.
The 23-year-old will be out of contract in the summer of 2024 and has not signed an extension with the Serie A giants yet. It appears that Milan could be open to offers for the player at the end of the season if he refuses to sign a new deal.
Apparently the forward is valued at around €150 million. But Liverpool are highly unlikely to pay that kind of money for him. It seems that Liverpool are hoping to bring down the asking price by offering the Colombian international Luis Diaz along with some cash for the Portuguese attacker.
Diaz has been outstanding since joining Liverpool from FC Porto and it would be quite surprising if Liverpool decided to get rid of him at the end of the season. The 26-year-old Colombian winger made an instant impact after joining Liverpool in January last year and helped them challenge for the quadruple.
Diaz was outstanding at the start of the season this year. But a lengthy injury layoff has stopped him from contributing in recent months. The 26-year-old remains a top-quality player with massive potential. Jurgen Klopp will feel that the South American can develop into a world-class player at Liverpool and his departure would be a shock in the coming months.
There is no doubt that Leao would be a quality player and the Portuguese international plays in a similar role to that of the Colombian. But Liverpool will certainly miss the Colombian’s energy and unpredictability down the flanks.
Meanwhile, Leao has been linked with clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea as well. And it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can fend off the competition from their Premier League rivals and sign the player.
The Blues certainly have more resources compared to Liverpool and will be in a better position to sign the player. The report claims that AC Milan are only interested in a cash offer of up to €150 million for the Portuguese international an. So Liverpool’s part-exchange plan might not work out this summer.
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It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few months. Ideally, Milan will hope that the talented young forward can extend his stay at the Italian club by signing a new contract soon.