AC Milan To Make Rafael Leao Highest Paid Player In Serie A With Lucrative New Deal
Rafael Leao is in line to become one of the highest paid players in Italy.
Louis Fargher
Updated on 07 January 2026
Rafael Leao is set to be ‘rewarded’ by AC Milan as the Rossoneri are ready to offer the Portuguese star a lucrative new deal.
AC Milan To Offer Rafael Leao Huge Deal
Massimiliano Allegri is looking to tie down Rafael Leao for multiple years, as the AC Milan manager has reportedly pushed the board into focusing on an extended deal.
The Portuguese star signed a five-year deal in June 2023, meaning he is under contract until the summer of 2028 – but Milan are looking to extend this to 2030.
Leao has established himself as one of the best forwards in Europe and has been one of Milan’s star men this season, contributing to seven goals in just nine Serie A starts (6G + 1A).
The Rossoneri currently sit second in Serie A, with many fans expecting Milan to leapfrog Inter in January and winning the Scudetto could be a huge selling point in negotiations with Leao.
Italian sports journalist Matteo Moretto has revealed that Milan initiated talks in October 2025 and are starting to intensify these negotiations.
Moretto said: “We talked about it at the end of October and reiterated it at the beginning of November: Milan are working on Leao’s contract renewal. Clearly, Milan has priorities, especially based on deadlines. Maignan, Tomori, Saelemaekers has already renewed.
“Milan began discussions regarding the renewal with adjustments with Rafa Leao at the beginning of October, and negotiations are ongoing. The numbers and everything need to be worked out, but Milan intends to reward Leao for what he’s demonstrating on the pitch.”
Rewarding Leao could see Milan make the 26-year-old one of the highest paid players in Serie A – fending off potential suitors like Real Madrid.
Real Madrid Remain Keen On Leao
Los Blancos were linked with Leao during the summer transfer window and these rumors started to pick-up speed at the end of 2025 after Vinicius Junior’s reported fallout with Xabi Alonso.
The Brazilian is yet to sign a new deal in the Spanish capital and negotiations have reportedly dwindled amid the uncertainty with the Real Madrid boss.
If Vinicius decides to move on in the summer, then Madrid could divert their attention to Rafael Leao and the Portuguese star has been very vocal about his admiration for LaLiga.
Milan are already at risk of losing one of their star players, as Lazio target Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Allegri will be unwilling to let another top asset leave.
This means that Leao’s new deal will have to include a monstrous salary, as the Portugal international is reportedly earning €6.4million per year.
Dusan Vlahovic, the highest paid player in Serie A, is said to be earning €22m each year which could see Leao push for a huge pay increase in 2026.
Louis Fargher
Louis has been an avid soccer enthusiast for multiple years and boasts knowledge across several leagues in Europe - including Serie A. Louis holds a degree in Soccer Journalism and has produced content for multiple clubs in the United Kingdom.
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