Rafael Leao 'signs new five-year deal with AC Milan'

The 23-year-old has again been impressive form for his Italian club during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 44 occasions in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and registering 13 assists in the process.

Leao was heavily linked with a move away from San Siro last summer, with Chelsea believed to have failed with at least two offers for the Portugal international late in the window.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are also among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the forward over the last few months.

However, according to The Athletic, Leao has now come to an agreement with Milan over a contract which will run until the summer of 2028.

The forward's existing deal at San Siro is due to expire in June 2024, and it had been suggested that he would be sold this summer unless a new contract was agreed.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the new contract will be worth €7m (£6.1m) per season, while the attacker will also receive a signing bonus of €2m (£1.7m).

Leao has again been in strong form in Serie A this season, scoring 12 goals and registering eight assists in 32 appearances, with Milan currently fifth in the table on 61 points.

The Portuguese has also played an important role in Milan progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League, scoring once and providing five assists in 10 appearances in the competition.

However, the forward is a major doubt for his team's Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan on Wednesday night due to a thigh injury that he suffered against Lazio.

"Field work was scheduled for today," Milan boss Stefano Pioli told Sky Italia on Tuesday. "Tomorrow morning he'll try to push and if he's okay he will be present, otherwise he won't.

"He could start, he could be able to play... and he may not even be on the bench. It will depend on the type of work he can do, because with his quality and characteristics he must be 100%. Let's see, it's still open."

Leao made the move to San Siro from Lille in 2019, and he has represented the Red and Blacks on 159 occasions, scoring 40 goals and registering 34 assists in the process.