Rafael Leao wants to stay at AC Milan amid interest from elite European clubs, with his agent criticizing “false and misleading information” about his contract talks with the Rossoneri.
The Portugal international was instrumental as Milan ended an 11-year wait for the Scudetto last season by scoring 11 goals in Serie A for title-winning team Stefano Pioli.
This led to increased speculation about leaving, as clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in the striker.
With the 23-year-old’s contract expiring in June 2024, Milan remain confident they can negotiate new terms as Leao’s agent Ted Dimvula confirmed his client’s desire to stay at San Siro.
“There is a lot of false and misleading information about Rafael Leao, mostly in the Italian press,” Dimvula Fabrizio Romano said on Wednesday.
“This has only one purpose: to paralyze the cordial and professional dialogue that we have with Milan management regarding the renewal of Rafael’s contract.
“We are currently working together to find a satisfactory solution for all parties.”
Pioli’s side have failed to win their last six games in all competitions and are now fifth in Serie A, 15 points behind runaway leaders Napoli.
Leão was relegated to the bench for Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Sassuolo, prompting reports that the former Sporting striker wanted to leave and was trying to lower his release clause.
However, Dimvula has no doubt that the former Sporting striker intends to “progress” with Milan.
“The priority of the player has not changed: he wants to stay at Milan and continue to grow and progress in this club and in this city that he loves so much,” he added.
“Therefore, we categorically reject any desire by Rafael and his entourage to lower the release clause in order to facilitate the player’s departure next summer.
“Rafael is fully focused on an important goal at his current club and he hopes that during this difficult period he can allow him to work calmly and serenely to return to winning ways.”