AC Milan’s star winger Rafael Leao has been offered to Tottenham through agents
Tottenham Hotspur have seen their iconic forward Son Heung-min depart the club after 10 long years.
The former skipper, who managed to lift his first trophy in the form of the Europa League as a Spurs player back in May, is heading to MLS club Los Angeles FC. It is a new challenge for Sonny that he must be looking forward to after giving his all during a decade-long stay at the north London club.
Replacing the South Korean international would be extremely difficult for the Hotspur Way chiefs, thanks to his great consistency, reliability, and availability. Nonetheless, they will have to find a way to fill Son’s void in Thomas Frank’s squad that is set to compete in the Champions League during the forthcoming 2025/26 season.
Tottenham offered chance to sign AC Milan star
According to a report from TBR Football, Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Rafael Leao through intermediaries this summer, but AC Milan insist their star winger is going nowhere.
Max Allegri has returned to AC Milan after spending almost 11 years away, and he himself wants to work with Rafael Leao, who is valued highly at San Siro. Spurs have shown an interest in the Portugal international after AC Milan missed out on European football, but at this stage, any deal looks highly improbable.
“My understanding is that intermediaries on the back of Son’s transfer and Maddison’s injury have put Leao to Spurs, in theory. Opportunistic, yes, but that is how some of the biggest deals in the world have come about,” exclusively revealed by TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.
“However, I have spoken to Milan, and nothing is happening. They do have a new manager, but I am told that even though Massimiliano Allegri has just come through the door, he is firm on his stance that Leao stays.
“Allegri signed off on the sale of Tijjani Reijnders, so that meant he could have a say in other big decisions, like going for Dusan Vlahovic, but also keeping the likes of Pulisic and Leao.
“I am told that Allegri has informed Milan’s hierarchy that he can turn Leao into one of the very best forwards in the world. They are not planning on losing him, and I don’t believe Leao has the wish to leave at this point; he is excited by Allegri.”
Spurs cannot afford to enter the new season without another experienced attacker
Tottenham have already made Mathys Tel’s loan move from Bayern Munich permanent this summer and signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, but after James Maddison suffered what seems like a serious knee injury in their pre-season clash with Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday, new attacking reinforcements are desired.
Rafael Leao has been a Spurs target for years now, and he enhanced his stock further with a strong 2024/25 season in Italy amidst Milan’s struggles. The Portuguese is one of the best wide players across the continent, and with him keen to work with new boss Max Allegri, there is no reason for Milan to entertain his sale this summer.
The North Londoners would benefit from having a Leao-esque player in their ranks, especially to soften the blow of losing Son this summer. However, we need to get more serious with our targets to rebuild Frank’s squad.