The Interesting Key Detail In Alexis Saelemaekers’ New Milan Contract
Alexis Saelemaekers has signed a new Milan contract - but the fresh terms don't kick in just yet.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 15 December 2025
Milan have officially announced that Alexis Saelemaekers has signed a new contract until June 2031, but the headline masks a key detail.
Alexis Saelemaekers will not be on new Milan contract terms until next summer
On Monday, reports began doing the rounds claiming Saelemaekers and Milan had agreed fresh contract terms.
And just a few hours later, the Rossoneri announced the big news on their channels.
“AC Milan are delighted to announce that Alexis Saelemaekers has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2031, with effect from 1 July 2026,” they wrote.
As mentioned at the end, Saelemaekers’ new deal officially takes effect at the start of July next year.
Therefore, nothing changes immediately for him this season.
Milan’s statement confirms Saelemaekers remains on his current terms until the end of 2025-26, despite signing now.
Tuttomercatoweb’s Dimitri Conti has reported on why this may be the case.
Saelemaekers’ net salary is to remain around €1.3million annually until June, before a major increase next summer.
From 1 July 2026, the report says Saelemaekers will earn close to €4million net per year.
The story continues, with Alexis Saelemaekers and Milan together ❤🖤 pic.twitter.com/wN8fvyVXkM
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 15, 2025
The delayed increase means that Milan get long-term security now, while keeping their short-term wage bill stable.
TMW adds that the structure is designed with help from the “Decreto Crescita” (“Growth Decree”), an Italian tax law which was passed in 2019.
“This nearly tripled increase is also made possible by the fact that Saelemaekers continues to benefit from the Growth Decree, which provides for a significant reduction in his gross salary,” wrote Conti.
In simple terms, Milan can reward the Belgian later without paying full ‘new contract’ costs immediately, which suits tight budgets.
The arrangement also protects Milan if there are any dips in form, because the club aren’t going to pay the higher salary right away.
Saelemaekers’ rise to prominence at Milan
Despite the interesting detail in the terms, there’s no doubt that Saelemaekers deserves his new contract.
The Belgian’s stock has risen massively under Massimiliano Allegri in his wing-back system.
After returning from loan spells at Bologna and Roma, he has become a regular on Milan’s right-hand side.
Teammates, coaches and fans value him for his intensity, discipline and tactical flexibility.
The renewal locks down a player Milan rate very highly, while avoiding any contract countdown noise.
Crucially, the 2031 end-date sends a message to their rivals: Saelemaekers is not on the market for quick profit.
For Milan fans, it reads like smart business: secure a key player, protect his value, and smooth the finances in one move.
For Saelemaekers, it’s a vote of confidence – albeit with a delayed reward – and proof of his high standing in the Milan team.
Next up, the Rossoneri will likely be looking at new strikers ahead of the January transfer window.
They have been linked with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Andrea Pinamonti, Nicklas Fullkrug and Lorenzo Lucca.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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