Leao: ‘I need a new challenge, Premier League more suited to my talent’ | OneFootball

Rafael Leao has again told Portuguese television he ‘needs a new challenge’ and blamed Max Allegri for this season’s poor Milan showing. ‘The Premier League or LaLiga would make more of my talent.’

There had already been numerous reports that the Rossoneri ran out of patience with the mercurial winger, and were not prepared to even consider a new contract.

With his current deal only running to June 2028, that made a sale very likely this summer, and Leao responded by publicly pushing for the exit too.

Leao and Milan have reached the end

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on from the substitutes bench prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I need a new challenge,” he told Sport TV in Portugal ahead of the World Cup campaign.

“I already won two trophies in Italy and have been there for a while. The League is evolving, but for my style of football, I think the Premier League or LaLiga would make more of my talent, as a player.

“If a Premier League opportunity were to come along, I would be very happy. I think that I can put my talent up against the players there, who are of a very high level. Playing in that kind of a league really gets the best out of a player.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Rafael Leao of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

There have been reports of Manchester United and Arsenal interest, but so far largely that his agents have been proposing him to those clubs, without any firm offers.

The only genuine bids seem to be from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but Leao has made it clear he is not looking for that kind of destination.

CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Milan struggled this season, failing to qualify for the Champions League with a final 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari, prompting the dismissal of coach Allegri and the entire directorial staff.

“It was a difficult season. We didn’t get into the Champions League, I played while injured for 4-5 months with a groin inflammation, in a position that was not suited to me. The tactical system did not help me,” insisted Leao.

“I felt that I could make the difference, but the way the team played didn’t put me in a condition to do that. At the end of the day, it wore me down.”

Allegri had originally wanted to use Leao wide left in a 4-3-3 formation, but quickly shelved that for a 3-5-2, moving him to a centre-forward role.

This was largely because the Portugal international cannot be counted on to track back and help the defence.

“As a winger, after dribbling, I have more time to think about whether I want to shoot, dribble more, or try a cross,” explained Leao when discussing his favoured role.

“However, playing as a striker I am nearer to the goal and have to be more decisive, you either assist or shoot. It’s a detail I need to work on.”

It was put to him that his approach as a winger has become a bit too predictable.

“Opposition teams found a way to adapt. When the ball reaches me as a winger, there are already two or three defenders coming to close me down. If I start more centrally, I can get into the box two or three times, then go back wide, which makes me more unpredictable.”