Manchester City are willing to break their transfer record and pay at least €150 million to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan.
Fichajes reports Manchester United will be willing to spend €150 million on Rafael Leao in the summer. AC Milan are not seeking a sale, although if an offer of that size arrives, it might test their resolve over the 24-year-old Serie A star.
Manchester City ready to spend €150 million on Rafael Leao?
Rafael Leao is one of the premium left-wingers in world football, and while he’s been having a sub-par season, AC Milan believes it has not reduced his value. The Rosoneri are protected by a massive €175 million release clause, which was agreed with the new contract he signed recently.
Hence, they will have no qualms about rejecting giant bids that come their way. Manchester City were open to paying over €100 million, something Milan would have dismissed out of hand. The minimum expectation stands at €150 million, so the Rosoneri will think about the future of the 24-year-old Serie A star.
Manchester City are now willing to pay €150 million and break their club transfer record to sign the 24-year-old Serie A star. Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the Portuguese international and may have wanted him last summer before signing Jeremy Doku. Despite some promising displays early on, the Belgian has yet to perform at expected levels, which could have prompted the club to bring in a more renowned player.
Signing Leao is a challenging prospect even for Manchester City, as Milan have no reason to part ways. They might ask for a fee much closer to his mammoth release clause, although a bid worth €150 million might prove enough to turn Rosoneri’s heads.
Manchester City may have a clear path on Leao
Manchester City might have a clear enough path towards signing Leao in the summer as there are doubts about some competition. Chelsea have an interest in the winger, however, their current financial state may not allow such a vast outlay, and they are more keen on a central striker like Victor Osimhen, and even a move for the Nigerian has been doubted.
PSG no longer are interested in Leao, as they are also keen on targhetting a new striker over a left winger. The Parisians were early favourites for Leao, considering their need for a new left-sided attacker to replace the departing Kylian Mbappe. However, their ideas are different, which could pave the way for Manchester City to make their move on Leao.