Milan Set €40m Barrier as Amorim Keeps Rafael Leão in His Plans
Rafael Leão remains in Milan’s plans as Amorim prepares talks, while the club reportedly rejects Fenerbahçe’s €40m opening valuation.
Marco Ferraro
Updated on 06 August 2026
AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim has addressed uncertainty surrounding Rafael Leão’s future, saying the Portuguese forward remains part of his plans ahead of the new season. Leão has been linked with a summer departure from San Siro, but Milan are reportedly unwilling to consider a sale at the valuation of Fenerbahçe’s reported opening offer.
As Milan began pre-season preparations, Amorim addressed Leão’s situation and indicated that he views the winger as part of the squad unless circumstances change.
His comments, reported by Africa Soccer and attributed to Gianluca Di Marzio, placed the team’s collective interests ahead of the speculation surrounding individual players.
Fenerbahçe are reported to have tabled an opening offer for Leão, but Milan continue to regard the 27-year-old as a key figure in their ambition to return to the top of Italian football.
The club are also not actively looking to offload their biggest names after significant summer investment.
Amorim’s Position on Leao’s Future
Amorim’s message was that Leão remains a Milan player while no change has taken place, with the team taking priority over any individual situation.
Rather than offering a definitive transfer update, the coach outlined a position focused on the player’s current status within the squad.
The Milan coach also plans to speak with Leão during pre-season preparations.
He intends to meet with the Portugal international and other members of the squad returning from the recent World Cup, including Gonçalo Ramos and Alexis Saelemaekers, to explain his plans for the upcoming campaign.
Those planned discussions come as attention remains on several Milan players.
Amorim has acknowledged the level of speculation around members of his squad while maintaining that they remain Milan players unless circumstances change.
Rafael Leao’s Recent Season at Milan
Leão endured a mixed campaign last season, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 29 Serie A appearances. Milan finished fifth in the league, 17 points behind champions Inter Milan.
Despite that outcome, Leão remains an important figure at the club. He played a major role in Milan’s 2021-22 Serie A title triumph, which was the club’s first league success in more than a decade.
His record and standing within the squad help explain why Milan are reluctant to consider a departure at the reported valuation. The winger is viewed as one of the club’s most valuable assets and a cornerstone of the project.
What Leao’s Future Means for Milan’s Summer
Milan have invested more than €100 million this summer as part of a squad rebuild, bringing in Ramos and defender Mario Gila.
The spending is intended to help the club close the gap on Italy’s elite after recent seasons fell short of those ambitions.
However, Milan do not intend to balance that spending by selling their most influential players. Leão is among the major names the club do not want to offload, with the forward continuing to be viewed as central to the wider project.
The club’s position is not described as an unconditional refusal to sell. Instead, the reported stance is that Milan are unwilling to consider a sale at the valuation put forward in the current approach.
Fenerbahçe’s Reported Opening Offer
Market movement around Leão has included a reported opening offer from Fenerbahçe. The Turkish club are said to have proposed €40 million plus €2 million in potential add-ons for the winger.
Milan are reportedly unwilling to consider a sale at that valuation. That position reflects the club’s assessment of Leão’s importance and their reluctance to sacrifice key players following their summer recruitment.
Speculation over Leão’s future intensified as reports suggested he could leave San Siro. For now, however, Amorim’s comments and Milan’s reported position indicate that the player remains part of the club’s plans.
What Happens Next
Amorim plans to speak with Leão during pre-season, alongside the other players returning from the World Cup. The talks are intended to outline Amorim’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
Until circumstances change, Milan view Leão as a key figure and are unwilling to sell at the reported valuation. The immediate focus is on pre-season preparations and the coach’s discussions with his returning players.
Marco Ferraro
Marco Ferro is an Italian sports journalist and lead writer for FootItalia, specializing in the intricate dynamics of Serie A and the Italian national team. Known for his tactical analysis and deep understanding of the peninsula's footballing culture, Ferro provides expert coverage of Italy's biggest clubs, from the tactical shifts at Juventus to the intense rivalries of the Derby d’Italia.
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