One time Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target Rafael Leao has sewed doubt over his AC Milan future just weeks after he penned a new deal at the club, after Paolo Maldini left his role at San Siro.
Both technical director Maldini (who is an AC Milan legend) and Sporting Director Ricky Massara were shown the exit just one day after the end of the Serie A season, which saw the Rossoneri finish fourth and retain a spot in next season’s Champions League.
However, that was deemed unacceptable by owner Gerry Cardinale, who promptly fired the pair and ensured that pandemonium ensued throughout the Milan squad.
Star man Leao, for whom Maldini was central to the negotiations that saw him pen a new contract until 2028, simply took to social media to tweet a confused emoji, while according to FootballTransfers French duo Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan are also thought to be considering their futures at the club.
🤔
— Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) June 5, 2023
Leao’s contract, set to expire in 2024, was extended for a further four years and a release clause added in which is thought to sit in excess of 150m euros. However, clubs will now be monitoring his situation carefully after his latest outburst, which may suggest that he is no longer as keen to stay in Milan as first thought.
Chelsea and Arsenal are two sides that have been heavily linked with him in the past, with the Blues even having a bid turned down for him last summer. With Mauricio Pochettino’s side in need of a striker, there are suggestions that they view Leao’s long term position as through the middle, and that could see them make a move should his relationship with Milan continue to deteriorate.
