Milano Sport: Rafael Leão’s Release Clause Has Expired; Player to Join Team at the End of the Month for Pre-Season Training

According to the latest issue of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the release clause in AC Milan forward Rafael Leão’s contract expired on July 15, meaning that any future transfer will have to be conducted through negotiations. Leão, who is currently on vacation, will join up with the team at the end of July to participate in the pre-season training camp in the United States.

Previously, Leão’s contract with Milan included a release clause worth €175 million, which would have allowed any club offering this amount to bypass Milan’s consent and directly negotiate personal terms with Leão’s team. Although Leão’s current form does not seem to warrant such a hefty investment from other clubs, the expiration of the release clause certainly benefits AC Milan by giving them more leverage in negotiations.

According to reports, Al-Nassr had shown significant interest in Leão, but their offers never came close to the €175 million figure. Al-Nassr had made contact with Leão’s representatives, but these talks did not progress. Leão’s performance in the Euros was rather mediocre, marred by a red card suspension, and Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez appeared to have run out of patience, leading to Leão finishing the Euros without a goal, falling far short of expectations.

Leão is currently on vacation and need not worry excessively about his role in AC Milan’s tactics for the upcoming season, as he met with his Portuguese compatriot and new Milan coach Paulo Fonseca before the Euros to discuss the strategy for the new season. In Fonseca’s plans, Leão will be a key player in Milan’s attacking line. With ten days having passed since Portugal’s elimination, Leão has ample time to recover both physically and mentally. He plans to join the team in the United States at the end of July for the match against Manchester City on July 28, which will take place in New York.