Leao tells AC Milan he wants to stay despite admitting affection for Manchester United

Rafael Leao has told AC Milan he wants to stay at the club this summer, effectively closing the door on a Premier League move despite his recently publicised admiration for Manchester United. The 26-year-old Portuguese forward spoke with club advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and expressed his desire to put a difficult season behind him and re-establish himself as a key figure at the San Siro, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Leao had been considered one of Milan’s more saleable assets as the club looked to reshape their squad following a poor campaign, with reports earlier in the window suggesting he could be available at a cut-price fee. His own position, however, appears to be firmly in favour of staying.

“It was a season that tested my physical and psychological state to the maximum, and only those who experienced it closely with me know how difficult it was,” Leao said. “For that reason I want to thank everyone who did the possible and the impossible to make sure this season took a completely different direction. May Milan triumph again next season.”

The forward joined Milan from Lille in 2019 and has made 291 appearances for the club, scoring 80 goals. He has two years remaining on his contract.

Leao’s decision comes despite him making no secret of his fondness for a pair of Premier League clubs. Asked in a recent interview whether he followed English football, he confirmed he did, adding: “I like United. I like United because my idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. So back then I used to watch them. And, yeah, I used to watch Manchester United. I like Arsenal also.”

Both clubs are expected to be active in the summer transfer window, though Leao’s stated intention to remain in Milan makes any approach unlikely unless he reverses course. Manchester United’s primary focus in midfield has centred on Atalanta’s Ederson following Casemiro’s departure, while they have conceded defeat in the race for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City.

Arsenal’s transfer activity may hinge on outgoings at the Emirates Stadium. The club continue to be linked with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, and any arrival in attack could accelerate a departure for Gabriel Jesus.