The former winger of Sporting Lisbon, his training club, and Lille (2018-19) had only one year left on his contract and was one of the most coveted elements of the club after two great seasons, punctuated by the conquest of the scudetto in May 2022 and a place in the semi-finalist of the Champions League this season.
"AC Milan and Rafael continue their journey together," the Lombard club announced on its website, without making public the financial conditions of the renewal of this contract which is accompanied by a strong revaluation of the player's salary, according to Italian media.
The salary will thus increase from a fixed base of 1.4 million euros annually to about 5 million euros, to which will be added bonuses to reach a remuneration of around 6.5 million to 7 million euros, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Milan club has also included a departure clause of some 175 million euros, which can be exercised by a club wishing to acquire Leao during a summer window in July, also claims the Milan sports daily.
To obtain this extension of his Portuguese jewel, Milan had to wait for the settlement of a financial case that had been pursuing the player since his departure from Sporting Portugal in 2018. Leao had left free for Lille but the Portuguese club had since obtained in court that he be paid compensation of around 20 million euros, including interest, by Losc and his former player.
According to several Italian and French media, an agreement was reached in May for the sum to be paid, largely by the French club. But Lille would have obtained that Milan then reimburse him almost all, according to RMC.
© 2023 AFP