Rafael Leao responds to claim Ruben Amorim sees him as 'negative influence' in AC Milan dressing room

Rafael Leao has lashed out reports that he's fallen out with AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim after being labelled a 'negative influence' at the club.

On Saturday afternoon, AC Milan travel to the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland for their final pre-season fixture against Manchester United.

The friendly is set to be the first time that new Milan manager Amorim is reunited with United after being sacked by the Red Devils back in January following a disappointing run of form and public fallout with the club's hierarchy.

Ahead of the match, much of the media focus has therefore unsurprisingly been on Amorim and how he has fit in at the Italian side since joining in June, replacing Massimiliano Allegri.

In one report, it was claimed that Milan winger Leao has seemingly fallen out with Amorim as the Portuguese manager sees him as a negative influence within the dressing room.

The report claims that Amorim has concerns over the winger’s impact on the squad environment, leading to the various transfer rumours surrounding the 27-year-old this summer.

But now, Leao has spoken out to address the report directly, releasing a statement on social media lashing out at the claims.

"Maybe you’re because you lying," he wrote on X, replying to a post sharing the report.

The rumour wasn't helped by the fact that Leao was left out of the squad for the friendly against Manchester United, but it has since been revealed that this was due to a minor injury and not a disciplinary matter.

Despite this, it remains likely that the winger will leave AC Milan this summer, as it's become increasingly clear that both the club and Leao himself have been pushing for an exit.

Of the interested clubs, it is believed that three have already submitted proposals to AC Milan about a sale, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce.

However, it is believed that none of the Turkish clubs' bids came even close to Milan's asking price of around €50m plus €10m in add-ons (£42.7m plus £8.5m).

Therefore, with deadline day rapidly approaching, Milan will reportedly lower their demands to a total package as little as €40m (£34.2m).

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Premier League side could be perfect option for Rafael Leao

Several Premier League clubs are among the sides recently linked with a move for Leao, but of them it appears that one is the most likely.

Throughout the window, the Portuguese international has been strongly linked with a move to Leeds United, however the club is yet to register any kind of formal bid.

Although such a signing would no doubt be a huge statement of intent for Leeds, who have already spent big on two defensive signings this summer, there's one thing reportedly holding them back.

At Milan, Leao reportedly earns around £105,000 a week, making him one of the highest earners at the club,

Such a salary would immediately make Leao the highest earner at Leeds United, with new signing Tarik Muharemović and star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin topping the books with salaries of £100,000 a week.

And some reports have suggested that, with his next move being perhaps the most important of his career, Leao could demand a pay increase at his next club, making a move to Leeds even more challenging.