Rafael Leao has reportedly agreed to join "Bayern Munich" after representatives from both sides met last week. The Portuguese winger appears open to leaving "Milan" despite the Italian club's strong reluctance to part with their star player.
"The initial discussions were positive, but we understand there's a long way to go in negotiations," a source close to the player's camp revealed.
The transfer won't come easy or cheap. "Milan" values their 25-year-old attacker at no less than €130 million, while his contract - which runs until 2028 - contains a hefty release clause of €175 million. By the way, this figure is more than double his current estimated market value of approximately €75 million.
New "Milan" head coach Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly made it clear that Leao features prominently in his plans for rebuilding the team. The coach, returning for his second stint with the Rossoneri, sees the Portuguese international as a cornerstone of his tactical approach.
Leao's 2024/25 season statistics make it obvious why both clubs value him so highly. He participated in 50 matches across all competitions, netting 12 goals and providing 13 assists - numbers that demonstrate his dual threat as both scorer and creator.
According to Statbet data analysis, Bayern's interest isn't surprising given Leao's performance metrics, which rank him among the most effective wingers in European football this season.
Interestingly, "Arsenal" had previously been linked with Leao, with reports suggesting he was their primary transfer target for the summer window. Will the Gunners now step up their pursuit to compete with Bayern's advances? The coming weeks should provide more clarity on this developing transfer saga.
