The €175million illusion: The real reason why Milan boss Max Allegri is set to cut ties with Rafael Leão | OneFootball

Serie A Milan are getting ready for a future without key man Rafael Leão, as performance issues and spot competition pile up. 

According to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri is becoming increasingly impatient with the inconsistency surrounding the 26-year-old’s performances at the club. Once hailed as Milan’s cornerstone for the future, the Portuguese international has seen his stock fall due to persistent questions regarding his work rate and a lack of competitive fire on the pitch. 

Allegri finds Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez to be better than Leão when it comes to tracking back, pressing up the pitch, and providing the team with an impactful directness in attack. After sealing the Scudetto with Stefano Pioli in 2022, the winger was considered to be at the peak of his powers when a €100million offer came from Premier League side Chelsea. 

Milan’s collapse of the release clause strategy

Milan decided to secure their player from further interest in the future, as they inserted a €175million release clause to help Leão focus his career on the club instead of looking elsewhere. However, the huge bet has backfired with head coaches like Paulo Fonseca, Sérgio Conceição, and now Allegri, finding it hard to put the player in a consistent run of form. 

This situation has opened up the doors for the once-decorated star winger to leave Milan this summer. The club is hoping for a €50-60million asking price, a huge drop from his former valuation. 

Due to extensive criticisms from the media and fans alike, the player deactivated his Instagram account and has repeatedly avoided questions regarding his form in post-match press conferences. Milan are aware that numerous European clubs would circle in on his position as soon as he is put on the market. A decision needs to be finalised soon, or they might have to risk selling him at an even lower price. 

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN