Rafael Leão has appeared to commit his future to AC Milan despite renewed speculation surrounding his potential exit, with Bayern Munich reportedly monitoring the Portuguese forward.
From 1 July, a €175 million release clause included in Leão’s contract will officially come into effect, allowing any club to sign him without negotiating directly with Milan. While this figure remains out of reach for most European clubs, it has attracted attention from clubs in Saudi Arabia—although those options are said to be of no interest to the 25-year-old attacker.
Bayern Munich are among the few major clubs reportedly considering a move as they seek a replacement for Leroy Sané, with Nico Williams now seemingly edging closer to a switch to Barcelona. However, Leão has moved to quell speculation by expressing his affection for Milan in a recent interview with French publication L’Officiel.
“I have always followed Milan, even before joining,” said Leão. “It is one of the most important clubs in the world, and wearing this shirt is a dream.”
His words will be welcomed by Milan fans and club officials alike, with CEO Giorgio Furlani and sporting director Igli Tare expected to stand firm on the club’s valuation of their star winger should any formal approach be made.
In the same interview, Leão looked back on the 2022 Serie A title triumph as one of the proudest moments of his career, singling out the decisive 3-0 win over Sassuolo on the final day as his best performance in a Milan shirt.
When asked about the best players he has played alongside, Leão named two icons of the modern game: Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As speculation continues across Europe’s summer transfer window, Leão’s comments suggest he remains focused on continuing his journey with Milan, at least for now.
