AC Milan icon Kaka tells ‘fantastic’ Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, target ‘now is the time to leave’
AC Milan legend Kaka wants in-demand winger Rafael Leao to stay at the San Siro but says this is ‘the right moment for him to leave’ if he wants to.
The long-time Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea target is in talks to extend his contract with the Italian giants, but an agreement is yet to be reached.
Leao’s current deal expires in June 2024 and despite speculation surrounding his future, his lawyer Ted Dimvula has recently said the player would ideally like to remain at the club.
Kaka, who was one of the world’s best players while at Milan, would like to see the Portugal international stay at the San Siro, but he admitted that if he is going to leave – now is the time to do it.
Speaking to Gazzetta, he said: “He is a fantastic player, I like him so much.”
“If he sees Italian football as a transitory moment in his career, then he should leave, now it’s the right moment.
“I think he should stay because I don’t see Italian football as transitory and sometimes leaving Milan is not a good idea.”
The Brazilian maestro left the Rossoneri for Real Madrid in 2009 after winning one league title, a Champions League, earning himself a Ballon d’Or.
Kaka doesn’t see Serie as a stepping stone, says he ‘learned so much’ there
Indeed, Kaka spent a fantastic six years at Milan between 2003 and 2009, before returning for a second, albeit brief spell in 2013. Given how successful he was in Italy, it’s unsurprising to see him talk so highly of the Serie A.
“I think Leao must consider all options,” said Kaka.
“Milan are giving him many. I met Galliani in Qatar during the World Cup and he said that Serie A has become a step in the players’ careers.
“I struggle to see it this way. Serie A remains a very challenging league for strikers, I don’t think it’s a minor league, even if there’s a different economic power.
“I learned so much in Italy and I became the player fans remind.”
However, the stark reality is that there is not as much money in the Serie A as there is in the Premier League, hence why Leao could be convinced to move to an English club.
As mentioned, Manchester City have previously considered approaching the 23-year-old attacker, while Chelsea and Manchester United have also registered an interest.
The demand for his signature is no surprise, as he has been in tremendous form for Milan since joining the club in 2019.
In 142 appearances for the Rossoneri overall, Leao has netted 36 times and contributed 30 assists, giving him an impressive average of 0.46 goal contributions per game.
For now, it looks like Leao is set to continue negotiating a new deal to stay at the San Siro.
However, many top European clubs are poised to lure him away from Milan in the summer, if a new contract fails to materialise.
