Blow for Liverpool as Serie A star on the club’s radar pens new contract

Liverpool-linked Rafael Leao signs new AC Milan contract

Rafael Leao, who has recently been tentatively linked with a move to Liverpool, has signed a new contract at AC Milan, according to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t Liverpool Echo].

The Portugal international looks set to stay at the Rossoneri. His existing deal will enter the final year in the upcoming campaign. However, now, the forward has agreed a fresh five-year term with the Serie A giants.

As a result, the 23-year-old is expected to put pen to paper on a new contract at the San Siro side, which will secure his future there until June 2028.

Leao signed for Milan in the summer of 2019 from LOSC Lille. The Portuguese needed a bit of time to find his feet in Italy. But over the last two seasons, the forward has seemed settled at the Rossoneri.

In the previous campaign, the 23-year-old thrived and was one of Stefano Pioli’s team’s main threats up top. The San Siro side ended up winning the Scudetto after an 11-year gap.

Leao has continued his fine form in the 2022/23 season. The Portugal international has made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A giants, scoring 13 goals and providing 13 assists.

Liverpool’s attack was bolstered in the last two transfer windows with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. However, the Uruguay international and the former PSV Eindhoven star are yet to show their full potential at the Anfield side.

Mohamed Salah has once again been the Merseyside outfit’s consistent outlet in the front line. Unfortunately, fitness issues have hampered Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the current campaign.

More Liverpool News

• Liverpool willing to bid €100m for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes
• Aston Villa join Liverpool in the race for Manuel Ugarte
• Scouts from Liverpool in attendance to watch OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo

Leao is a talented player. However, for now, we have an abundance of talent up front. It is understandable that the Portuguese has chosen to extend his contract at a prestigious club like Milan. But it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will pursue him in the coming future.