As rumors swirl about Christopher Nkunku being on the market, AC Milan appears poised to retain Rafael Leao and may enter discussions for a new contract. Coach Ruben Amorim met with club owner Gerry Cardinale today to compile a list of players available for sale this summer, which notably included Nkunku.

This unexpected inclusion of Nkunku has raised concerns among fans, suggesting a lack of foresight from the club just over a week before the Serie A season kicks off.

Nkunku’s Sale Linked to Leao’s Situation

The sudden change likely stems from Milan’s strategy after investing nearly €80 million to acquire Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain. Initially, the plan involved selling Leao to finance the pursuit of a new winger.

However, the only offers for the Portugal international came from Turkish clubs Besiktas, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce, all of which fell short of the €50 million plus €10 million asking price.

With these clubs now exploring other options, Leao finds himself increasingly isolated at San Siro. This comes despite his earlier declaration that he wanted a new challenge and believed his time at the club was over.

Given that Leao’s contract runs until June 2028, this situation could prompt a significant shift in strategy for Milan. According to reports, next week, Leao will meet with Milan patron Cardinale to discuss his future, acknowledging the lack of expected offers.

It is possible that they will initiate talks for a contract extension, albeit at a reduced salary or possibly without an improvement. This approach could help Leao gain some consistency under head coach Amorim.

Should Nkunku’s departure take place alongside Santiago Gimenez’s exit, it increasingly appears that Leao is set to stay with the club.

With news Christopher Nkunku is on the market, it suggests Milan might be ready to keep Rafael Leao instead, and they could discuss a new contract.

Coach Ruben Amorim met with patron Gerry Cardinale today and they drew up a list of players who are for sale this summer, which somewhat surprisingly included Nkunku.

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Christopher Nkunku of Milan scores a goal on a penalty kick during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

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That has raised eyebrows among Milanisti, who suggest that it points to a complete lack of planning if just over a week before the start of the Serie A season, the striker is suddenly out of their vision.

Nkunku decision sparked by Leao problem

COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The turnaround is probably because the idea after investing almost €80m in getting Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain was to sell Rafael Leao and therefore fund a new winger.

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However, the only offers that came in for the Portugal international were from Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, none of them near the €50m plus €10m asking price.

With all those clubs now looking elsewhere too, Leao is increasingly stranded at San Siro, months after declaring his time at the club was over and he wanted a new challenge.

With this in mind, and the fact his contract only runs to June 2028, it could well prompt a radical shift in strategy.

Sky Sport Italia claim that next week Leao will meet face to face with Milan patron Cardinale to discuss his future, recognising that the offers they expected simply have not materialised.

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It is therefore possible they will begin discussing a new contract extension, probably at a lower or at least not improved salary, and he will try to finally achieve some sort of consistency under Portuguese coach Amorim.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Rafael Leao of AC Milan makes a run towards goal during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

If Nkunku is leaving along with Santiago Gimenez, it seems increasingly likely that Leao will remain.