AC Milan are reportedly preparing to ask between £51m and £60m for Manchester United target Rafael Leao after reaching a deal behind the scenes. Earlier this year, the Portuguese forward made it clear he wanted to leave San Siro this summer. He has spent the past seven years there, playing 291 games, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists.
Leo told Sport TV: “I think I gave everything I could to Milan. Milan is a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through difficult times. I’m happy to be able to leave my mark on the club’s history. Everyone has dreams, challenges, wants, goals they want to achieve, and I too want to take on new challenges in a new league.”
United are one of a long list of clubs targeting Leo, with Michael Carrick keen to strengthen his attacking options ahead of his return to Champions League football.
Despite Milan’s huge interest in the winger, little progress has been made towards securing his departure from the San Siro.
However, Sky Sports Italia now reports that Milan have held talks with Leo’s camp and have reached an agreement allowing him to leave this summer for a fee of between £51 million and £60 million.
Such a fee would be a significant profit on the £42.4m it paid Lille to acquire its services in 2019.
Milan want a permanent transfer, but they also intend to accept a loan transfer with an obligation to buy him next summer.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have both made offers for the winger, but Leo has his sights firmly set on a move to the Premier League or La Liga, with United thought to be his most likely destination.
Tottenham are among the clubs interested in Leo, but Roberto De Zerbi’s side are thought to be focused on signing Bournemouth star Eli Junior Crupi.
A resolution to Leo’s future is expected once Portugal’s World Cup campaign ends. Roberto Martinez’s side defeated Croatia 2-1 in the Round of 32 and will face Spain in their next match on Monday.
The former Lille forward endured a difficult 2025/26 season with Milan, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in 31 appearances in all competitions.
The Rossoneri, who appointed former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as their new manager in mid-June, finished fifth in Serie A and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
