Milan are still pushing to agree terms on a new contract for Rafael Leao but the deal could cost them €65m. The Portuguese winger has quickly become a mainstay for the new Rossoneri team, playing a pivotal role in their title success last season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that discussions are ongoing but it could become one of the most complex renewals of the year, given the parties involved.
Leao is reportedly asking for a five year deal with a salary of €7m per season while Milan would hope to get an agreement on €6m a season.
Alongside the salary, the 23-year-old is hoping that Milan will pay for the €19m, including interest, that is owed by the player and Lille to Sporting Lisbon for the unilateral termination of his contract in 2018.
Milan, thanks to the growth decree, should in short pay (including taxes) a sum close to €45-50m for the contract and about €15m for compensation to Sporting, considering that Lille and the player should pay a part of it, bringing the total to €65m for the deal.
Contacts between interested parties have been ongoing on for months, so much so that in April an agreement was reached at €14m with Sporting, for a transaction with immediate payment. Lille would have paid half of that sum. However, Leao did not like the solution as he would have to pay part of the amount.
Milan are keen to reach an agreement before the World Cup begins later this year, but a new deal may include a reduced release clause, dropping from €150m to €120m.
