AC Milan star Rafael Leao has penned a new five-year at the Italian club, according to Fabrizio Romano and the Athletic.
The highly-rated winger, who has been attracting interest from a host of clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of the summer, has enjoyed an impressive season with the Serie A giants, contributing 13 goals and 13 assists so far this term.
He was also instrumental during his side’s Scudetto triumph last season, which brought Milan their first Serie A title in 11 years.
However, despite riveting the gaze of several top clubs this summer, Leao has agreed to stay at Milan until June 2028, according to The Athletic.
The 23-year-old star remains a fitness doubt ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against bitter rivals Inter, having picked up a thigh injury in the first 11 minutes against Lazio on Saturday.
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Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday morning that Leao had arrived at Milan’s team hotel to join the squad, but it remains unclear whether he will be fit for the crunch semi-final clash.
Reports from Italy claimed that Milan would know whether Rafael Leao would feature against Inter by Wednesday lunchtime, but head coach Stefano Pioli admitted on Tuesday that he would wait until the last moment before making a decision.
‘Tomorrow (Wednesday) he will try to push himself to the maximum to understand if he can take part in the match,’ Pioli said after Leao returned to training on Tuesday.
‘If I call him up, it will be because he’s fit to play. If the tests are fine, he could even start.’
The winning San Siro outfit will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the Champions League final next month.
Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Spanish giants on Tuesday, as Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half thunderbolt cancelled out Vinicius Jr’s opener before the break.
Rafael Leao, who has won 18 international caps for Portugal, joined Milan from Lille in 2018 and has since racked up over 125 appearances for the club.
Whilst bidding to make the Champions League final this season, Milan’s future in the competition is still uncertain ahead of next campaign, with Pioli’s side sitting fifth in Serie A behind Inter, Lazio, Juventus and champions Napoli.
Not only would Champions League glory earn the club their first European triumph since 2007, it would also secure their status in the competition ahead of next term.
