TMW: AC Milan have two targets for the after-Leao
With Rafael Leao’s renewal becoming less likely by the day, AC Milan are probing the ground for a new left winger.
Last night’s defeat against Fiorentina highlighted a major flaw of AC Milan, especially in the attacking phase. It seems that coach Pioli’s team is much less intense and dangerous without Rafael Leao on the pitch. The Portuguese winger missed yesterday’s match in Florence due to suspension and his absence was felt, given that his natural substitute Ante Rebic was completely out of the match.
The bigger problem is that Rafa Leao’s future is increasingly shrouded in mystery. The situation is now known to all: The contract of the number 17 expires in about a year and the renewal is looking less likely with each passing day with his entourage continuing to block everything. Under such circumstances, the Rossoneri will be forced to sell Leao to the highest bidder, in order not to lose him as a free agent in the summer of 2024.
Leao has several admirers especially in the Premier League but Milan will certainly need to find a suitable replacement. The ideal profile would be that of a left winger, capable of playing as a second striker with technical qualities similar to those of the Portuguese talent. Tuttomercatoweb repots that Maldini is following two wingers to replace Leao.
The first name is that of the Dutch winger Noa Lang. Lang has been on AC Milan’s radar for a long time. The former teammate of Charles De Ketelaere at Bruges has very similar characteristics to Rafael Leao, given that he is a winger who loves to play on the left and unleash his right foot returning towards the centre.
Even the second name is familiar to the Rossoneri fans. The 25-year-old Allan Saint-Maximin was very close to joining AC Milan in the summer of 2019 before making the switch to Newcastle. The player was reportedly offered again to the Rossoneri during the January transfer window but a move has not materialized on two occasions.
Noa Lang is a better finished that Saint-Maximin and at the same time creates a lot for his teammates. Long has found the back of the net 8 times this season while also providing 3 assists. Last season he had 24 goal contributions to his name. The Netherlands international is sure to leave Brugge this summer after rejecting a contract proposal and has a price tag of around 20 million euros.
Saint-Maximin is a much more expensive option. The French dazzling dribbler is valued around €40 million by Newcastle. As always Premier League is a very expensive shop for Italian clubs. It must be said that in the event of Leao’s sale, Milan would still collect a rather high figure that would allow them to make an important investment for a new left winger.
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