With news Christopher Nkunku is on the market, it suggests Milan might be ready to keep Rafael Leao instead, and they could discuss a new contract.
Coach Ruben Amorim met with patron Gerry Cardinale today and they drew up a list of players who are for sale this summer, which somewhat surprisingly included Nkunku.
GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Christopher Nkunku of Milan scores a goal on a penalty kick during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
That has raised eyebrows among Milanisti, who suggest that it points to a complete lack of planning if just over a week before the start of the Serie A season, the striker is suddenly out of their vision.
Nkunku decision sparked by Leao problem
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The turnaround is probably because the idea after investing almost €80m in getting Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain was to sell Rafael Leao and therefore fund a new winger.
However, the only offers that came in for the Portugal international were from Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, none of them near the €50m plus €10m asking price.
With all those clubs now looking elsewhere too, Leao is increasingly stranded at San Siro, months after declaring his time at the club was over and he wanted a new challenge.
With this in mind, and the fact his contract only runs to June 2028, it could well prompt a radical shift in strategy.
Sky Sport Italia claim that next week Leao will meet face to face with Milan patron Cardinale to discuss his future, recognising that the offers they expected simply have not materialised.
It is therefore possible they will begin discussing a new contract extension, probably at a lower or at least not improved salary, and he will try to finally achieve some sort of consistency under Portuguese coach Amorim.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Rafael Leao of AC Milan makes a run towards goal during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
If Nkunku is leaving along with Santiago Gimenez, it seems increasingly likely that Leao will remain.