Al-Hilal make Rafael Leao enquiry | OneFootball

Al-Hilal have made an enquiry about AC Milan star Rafael Leao as the Middle Eastern giants look to complete another major acquisition, according to Nico Shira.

Leao has long been admired by Al-Hilal for his electric pace, creativity and dribbling ability. After missing out on a few marquee names earlier in the summer, the club are now eyeing a move for Leao ahead of the upcoming Saudi Pro League season.

However, convincing AC Milan to part ways with one of their most prized assets will be anything but easy.

Leao, who remains under contract at San Siro until 2028, has a mammoth €175 million release clause.

Milan’s newly restructured management team, led by sporting director Igli Tare and returning coach Massimiliano Allegri, considers the 26-year-old central to the Rossoneri’s ambitions of returning to the top of Serie A and competing seriously in Europe again.

Amid interest from Bayern Munich, Leao himself has also hinted in recent interviews that he is fully focused on achieving success with Milan, expressing love for the club and its supporters.

However, the financial muscle Al-Hilal can flex could throw all that out of the window as the Blue Waves seek to reclaim their domestic crown from Al-Ittihad in the upcoming campaign.

Milan are reportedly open to sanctioning a sale for around €100 million and Al-Hilal are unlikely to have any issues paying that amount should the player give his willingness to move to Riyadh.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are currently on duty at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, where they played out an impressive 1-1 stalemate against Real Madrid in Wednesday’s opener.

They are next in action on Sunday evening against another European opponent in RB Salzburg at Audi Field.