Everton have been warned that AC Milan forward Rafael Leao is not for sale, unless €50m is put on the table this summer, claims a report.
Leao joined Milan in 2019 from Lille for €28m, but struggled during his initial spell at the San Siro. His fortunes have improved though and the 21-year-old has scored six goals and created five assists in 23 Serie A games this season. According to Calciomercato, Milan are convinced they have a diamond in Leao.
They state that Leao “is not on the market” unless “a proposal exceeding €50m” arrives for the Portugal Under-21 star.
The same Italian outlet Calciomercato (as cited by Sport Witness) reported in January that Everton were weighing up a move for AC Milan forward Leao.
The report even claimed the Toffees have put a €30m offer on the table, ahead of the window closing on February 1. Calcio did however claim at the time that Milan would want a “much higher’” fee.
Juventus have also registered an in interest in the forward while Leao, who is under contract until 2024, was with Sporting.
Leeds have also shown an interest in the striker. According to Gianluca di Marzio, Leao was on their summer shortlist in 2020. In fact, the source claimed Leeds had already done groundwork on a deal.
Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani reportedly contacted Milan to enquire about the Leao’s availability as Leeds returned to the Premier League.
Milan though are desperate to hold on to Leao, who has played for Portugal’s youth teams from the age of 16.
The youngster missed out on Portugal’s Under-21 squad for the European Championship due to injury. He suffered a muscle problem and didn’t participate in Milan’s 3-2 win over Fiorentina in March.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Everton in for Dele Alli?
Meanwhile, Aston Villa and Everton have been tipped to make a surprise swoop to sign Tottenham’s Dele Alli this summer.
The former MK Dons’ star’s future has been under the microscope from day one of Jose Mourinho’s arrival in north London. Despite a bright start under the Portuguese, Alli has rarely been used this season.
Indeed, the 25-year-old has started only two Premier League games this term, However, he did feature more regularly in the Europa League before Spurs’ shock exit.
PSG, with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, tried to bring Alli to Paris in January but Daniel Levy refused to play ball.
But it looks increasingly likely that Tottenham will cut their losses on the player this summer, if the right offer comes in.
Alli has scored 50 goals in 165 Premier League appearances since joining Spurs in 2015. To that end, there is a strong belief that he still has plenty to offer, despite his slump in form.
And former Premier League striker Dean Windass believes Villa are one of two clubs who should be in the market for Alli this summer.
“I think Everton or Aston Villa, one of those teams where he then becomes a big fish in a small pond again,” Windass told Transfer Tavern.
“At the minute he’s a small fish in a big pond.
“The kid needs to be playing to get back into the England squad. Gareth will be on the phone saying ‘I think you’re a great player, but you need to be playing.”
The post Everton warned off, as AC Milan place huge price tag on striker appeared first on TEAMtalk.
Matthew Briggs
No comments:
Post a Comment