AC Milan set to sign Ligue 1 striker in €35m deal

 

AC Milan have won the race to sign Lille youngster Rafael Leo after agreeing a €35m (£31.5m) deal with their French counterparts, claims RMC Sport.

 

The Serie A giants are looking to overhaul their offensive options ahead of the new season with both Andre Silva and Patrick Cutrone set to leave the club this summer.

 

Everton and Napoli have both been linked with a move for Leao but appear to have missed out on his signature to Milan.

 

Lille, who are poised to sign Milan defender Thiago Djalo for €5m (£4.5m), will retain a 20 per cent sell-on fee in the deal and Leao is expected to arrive in Italy in undergo his medical in the coming days.

 

AC Milan set to sign Ligue 1 striker in €35m deal

 

 

Leao reportedly turned down the chance to join Manchester City in order to sign for Lille 12 months ago and is already on the cusp of a high profile move.

 

The 20-year-old was forced to be patient for first-team opportunities last season and only truly broke into the starting XI in December.

 

Leao finished his maiden campaign with Lille with eight goals and three assists in 24 league appearances.

 

Lille are set to bank in excess of £100m in player sales this summer, with star man Nicolas Pepe on the brink of joining Arsenal in a £72m transfer.