Some departures linger for months before becoming official.
Especially when the relationship between player and fans begins to fray.
That’s exactly where Rafael Leao finds himself at AC Milan right now.
And a Premier League giant are watching every moment of it unfold.
Manchester United lead the race for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as Portuguese star prepares to leave Italy
According to Gazzetta.it, Rafael Leao’s partnership with AC Milan has reached its final days, with the Portuguese winger preparing to leave the San Siro this summer and Manchester United emerging as the most credible destination.
The numbers around the deal are remarkably favourable given his profile.
AC Milan would accept as little as €50 million for a player whose release clause stood at €120 million not long ago.
Thus, that collapse in valuation reflects a season of underperformance and a relationship between player and fanbase that has completely broken down.
Leao posted an Instagram story this week bearing the message “You hate me, but who are you?”
A statement that felt very much like a goodbye rather than a rallying cry.
He doesn’t intend to sign a new contract.
However, his current deal runs until June 2028, making this summer Milan’s last realistic opportunity to recoup a significant fee.
Manchester United have had their interest in the player for years.
At £43 million, the deal represents exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward signing that INEOS have been seeking.
The World Cup this summer adds another variable.
AC Milan are hoping a strong tournament with Portugal could boost his value before any deal is concluded.
A poor one could work in Manchester United’s favour by keeping the price where it is.
What’s already clear is that Sunday’s defeat against Cagliari could’ve well been Leao’s last appearance in a Rossoneri shirt.
For a player of his talent, his career in Italy has never quite delivered the consistency that once felt inevitable.
But a move to Old Trafford, under a manager who values his directness and pace, could be exactly the fresh start he needs.
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