Rafael Leão rejects AC Milan contract extension deal amid Chelsea move

AC Milan have been locked in talks with Rafael Leão over a contract extension, but according to the latest reports, those talks have yet to result in a breakthrough. Quite the contrary actually: the 23-year-old “doesn’t want to extend beyond 2024”, which is when his current deal expires.

Chelsea had made an “informal” approach in the summer, but were immediately knocked back despite our supposed willingness to pay upwards of €100m. Leão does have a €150m release clause, which remains the point at which business might get done — though that could change depending on whether Milan believe they can still convince him to sign a new long-term contract.

Leão didn’t really have a great World Cup as Portugal fell in the quarterfinals, but that hasn’t really deterred anyone’s interest, and rightly so.

Excl. News #Leao: At this stage he doesn’t want to extend beyond 2024. Not confident with the offer. Chelsea, City, Real in. #CFC held talks about him in Qatar. Milan refused Chelseas offer (€70m). They want €150m. The amount of the release clause. @Sky_Marc @SkySportDE 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/QuUxLawSuB

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 12, 2022