{"id":3165,"date":"2026-04-07T07:55:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3165"},"modified":"2026-04-07T07:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:55:12","slug":"milan-chief-on-rafael-leao-amid-arsenal-transfer-rumours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3165","title":{"rendered":"Milan chief on Rafael Leao amid Arsenal transfer rumours"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan against Inter Milan (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p><strong>AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has spoken out on the future of star player Rafael Leao amid recent Arsenal transfer rumours.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST &#038; BREAKING UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON <span role=\"presentation\"><u><a id=\"m_-8842039462880764662OWA0ed77145-59b1-d579-11a5-1fee76b80340\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/gb\/app\/caught-offside\/id515902300\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/gb\/app\/caught-offside\/id515902300&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772139200113000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Cd9hGULNj_KnO1revzyC6\">APPLE<\/a><\/u><\/span> &#038; <span role=\"presentation\"><u><a id=\"m_-8842039462880764662OWAae4ab359-9a96-08aa-cd1c-c903ae7ad35f\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.caught.offsidetwo&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id%3Dcom.caught.offsidetwo%26hl%3Den_GB&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772139200113000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MJzfBPD3iKX-nmWn0ghkk\">GOOGLE PLAY<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Leao has been a key player for Milan down the years, and there\u2019s often been speculation that top Premier League clubs could try to sign him.<\/p>\n<p>That hasn\u2019t happened so far, but a recent report from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballtransfers.com\/en\/transfer-news\/uk-premier-league\/2026\/02\/exclusive-arsenal-transfer-news-rafael-leao-ac-milan-talks-summer-2026-steve-kay\">Football Transfers<\/a> stated that Arsenal were in initial discussions over a potential \u20ac80m deal this summer.<\/p>\n<p>See below as Fabrizio Romano has quoted Milan chief Tare as appearing to hint at being keen to keep Leao this summer, pointing to the two years he has left on his contract at the San Siro\u2026<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-lazy tweet-img lazyload\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">???? AC Milan director Igli Tare on Rafa Le\u00e3o\u2019s future: \u201cRafa has two years left on his contract and he\u2019s very important for us\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHis skills are not in doubt, this season he\u2019s suffered from injuries\u201d. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ilYRlMbKii\">pic.twitter.com\/ilYRlMbKii<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FabrizioRomano\/status\/2041226395330773212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Arsenal would surely benefit from bringing in something a bit different up front, with Leao\u2019s skill and flair making him an ideal upgrade on inconsistent performers like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-stories std-mgn-b\">&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<header class=\"col-s-12 std-mgn-t\">More Stories \/ <span class=\"topic\">Latest News<\/span><\/header>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1657176 lazyload\" alt=\"Diego Moreira celebrating with Ismael Doukoure\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-20-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1657174 lazyload\" alt=\"Eduardo Camavinga - Real Madrid (Official Video) Eduardo Camavinga - Real Madrid (Official Video)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-19-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1657172 lazyload\" alt=\"Cristian Romero and 'breaking news' banner\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-18-1-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Rafael Leao transfer could be a great option for Arsenal<\/h2>\n<p>Leao has nine goals and two assists in Serie A this season, despite being limited to only 18 starts so far after a few injury problems.<\/p>\n<p>The Portugal international is clearly more of a goal threat than someone like Martinelli, though his stats below paint an interesting picture in terms of how he compares to Martinelli and Trossard\u2026<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-414x387.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-630x589.jpg.webp 630w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-768x718.jpg.webp 768w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-770x720.jpg.webp 770w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-900x841.jpg.webp 900w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-1200x1121.jpg.webp 1200w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-1536x1435.jpg.webp 1536w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot.jpg.webp 1680w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1680\" height=\"1570\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1657180 has-webp\" alt=\"Leao vs Martinelli and Trossard\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-414x387.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-630x589.jpg 630w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-768x718.jpg 768w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-770x720.jpg 770w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-900x841.jpg 900w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-1200x1121.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DataMB-Screenshot-1536x1435.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1680\/1570;max-width:1680px\"\/><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leao vs Martinelli and Trossard (DataMB)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Overall, there are perhaps signs there that Arsenal could do better than Leao, even if he is an option worth considering.<\/p>\n<p>It may also be that the 26-year-old would improve with better players around him, and with a manager like Mikel Arteta to take him to the next level.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><strong>Rafael Leao<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><strong>TOTAL SCORE: 16\/25<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">Transfer fee<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">**<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">Performance<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">****<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">Achievements<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">**<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">Career phase<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">***<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">Squad need<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">*****<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>See the table above for our Leao to Arsenal Transfer Fit rating (more info on this here) and give us your thoughts on whether he\u2019d be good value for money and the right stylistic fit for this Gunners side.<\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan against Inter Milan (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images) AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has spoken out on the future of star player Rafael Leao amid recent Arsenal transfer rumours. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST &#038; BREAKING UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}