AC Milan forward Rafael Leao turns down Everton offer
AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has rejected a proposal by Everton to make the move to Merseyside, according to Rudy Galetti.
Writing on his personal Twitter profile on Sunday morning, the Italian journalist, who regularly appears on Il Pallone Gonfiato, reported that the Blues had made an offer to the 22-year-old.
Galetti wrote: “Rafael Leao said no to a proposal made by Everton. The attacker, born in 1999, wants to stay at Milan.”
Onto the next one
Leao would have been an exciting capture given his vast array of skills and searing pace, but he’s not necessarily a priority signing, unless Richarlison leaves the club this summer.
The Portuguese forward broke the Serie A fastest goal record last season when he struck after 6.76 seconds against Sassuolo, a time that also makes him the fastest goal scorer across any of the top five European leagues [Guardian].
However, while he emerged as a striker during his Sporting Lison and Lille days, he has been deployed mainly as a supporting striker on the left-wing under Stefano Pioli at AC Milan, and that’s a position firmly occupied by Richarlison at Everton.
Unless he departs, the focus should be on an out-and-out right winger to offer some balance.
As such, a left-footed player who can cut in a perform a similar function to Richarlison would be useful, or someone who is going to stay out wide.
Leao wouldn’t do either of those things and therefore this is not a key opportunity missed.
It is, however, an encouraging sign that we reportedly tabled a proposal to him.
His profile is exactly the sort we should be aiming for – young, hungry, and with a decent level of experience already accumulated.
Onto the next one now, Blues.
In other Everton news, Lee Dixon aims thinly-veiled swipe at Blues supporters amid online fan fury over 27-year-old.
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