MilanoNews.it
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In addition to Stefano Pioli, in recent months AC Milan has renewed the contracts of the following players: Theo Hernandez, Matteo Gabbia, Simon Kjaer, Alexis Saelemaekers, Fikayo Tomori, Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic and, most recently, Pierre Kalulu , in addition to the nearby one by Olivier Giroud; in order of appeal, following the squad with the most important players available to the coach, only two are missing: Ismael Bennacer and Rafael Leao.
New negotiation
With Bennacer, Milan had already reached an agreement in principle on the renewal a year ago, except then, as indirectly declared by Maldini at the end of last championship, having to delay the signing due to the increase in requests from the Algerian midfielder following his upcoming arrival ( then occurred on 1 June) of the new ownership. From the approximately 3 million initially requested, there has been talk of a new agreement on 4 million euros per season, legitimized, at least for now, by the super performances that the number 4 is offering this season. Algeria’s absence from the World Cup will probably allow Maldini and Massara to talk more serenely with the player and his entourage for the renewal, considering the deadline in 2024.
It is long
If Bennacer’s renewal isn’t simple, Rafael Leao’s is notoriously and objectively very complicated. In the negotiation with the Portuguese there are many variables: the agent Jorge Mendes, the footballer’s father who is very present, the French lawyer who visited Casa Milan in the middle of the month, the trial with Sporting Lisbon, the budgetary needs of Milan… In short: finding the square is complicated, but, by June 2023, Milan will have to decide what to do with Leao: renew him (if the player wants, of course) under certain conditions or sell him for a large amount before he goes to expiring in the summer of 2024.
