Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly reassured AC Milan that Real Madrid will not pursue 22-year-old Portuguese international Rafael Leao this summer.
According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, Rafael Leao will not have a suitor in Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear to AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini that Real Madrid will not pursue the 22-year-old Portuguese international ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Rafael Leao joined AC Milan from LOSC Lille in August 2019 but did not immediately set the stage alight. The youngster grew in stature gradually before establishing himself as a pivotal figure for the Rossoneri in the 2020/21 season. And he stepped his game up several notches in the recently-concluded campaign.
As AC Milan won the Serie A title for the first time in 11 years, the 22-year-old was instrumental in their triumph, amassing 11 goals and ten assists in 34 league outings. The Portuguese international also won the Serie A MVP for his performances, and his exploits have captured the attention of Real Madrid, among other European bigwigs.
Real Madrid wanted to bolster the attacking unit by signing Kylian Mbappe in a Bosman move. But the French international surprisingly chose to snub Real Madrid by extending his contract with Paris Saint-Germain despite confessing to his desire to play for Los Blancos.
Since then, there have been contrasting reports on Real Madrid’s stance over signing a new wide-attacker. While the Spanish giants have been linked with players like Rafael Leao, Serge Gnabry, and Raheem Sterling, widespread speculation has claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is happy with Marco Asensio and Rodrygo Goes as his options on the right flank.
Recent reports had also claimed that Real Madrid will have no qualms in paying the big bucks to secure his services. But it looks like suggestions that Ancelotti is happy with Rodrygo and Asensio are not wide of the mark, with the Real Madrid manager asserting that the Merengues will not pursue the 22-year-old Portuguese international.
Ancelotti recently called AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini to insist that Leao is not in Real Madrid’s plans this summer. And with the Serie A champions working hard to tie the 22-year-old down to a new contract, it is likely that the Portuguese international will stay put at San Siro beyond the summer transfer window.