Rafael Leão: A Gamble Worth Taking?
Written by Noah J.N.
Tottenham Hotspur, ranked tenth in Forbes’ “The World’s Most Valuable Soccer Teams”, finally seem to be operating like one of the richest clubs in the world. A record once held by Dominic Solanke’s £65m move has been broken twice in the span of 48 hours. Mateus Fernandes, the former West Ham midfielder, first shattered it with an £85m fee that beat Manchester United to his signature. Just two days later, after weeks of negotiations, Sandro Tonali arrived as a £100m player. Two unprecedented signings that very few would have predicted at the start of the summer. They will raise the talent level of the squad dramatically, but to match the ambitions of the fanbase - more still has to be done. Attention has now turned to the final third, and the name dominating the conversation is Rafael Leão.
It is reported that Leão’s focus is on the Premier League, with Italian media suggesting he would be open to Spurs if the club met AC Milan’s demands. He is represented by the same agent as recent signing Mateus Fernandes, super‑agent Jorge Mendes. Transfermarkt, the go‑to site for rough transfer valuations, had Leão at around £76m just two years ago. Today they list him closer to £42m – and there are clear reasons why that number has dropped, even if Milan’s asking price is likely to be higher.
Leão truly divides footballing opinions like few others. On his day, “Rafa” is unplayable. A tall, powerful, explosive dribbler who glides past defenders with a speed and smoothness very few can replicate. His carrying ability is worth game-planning around, and at his best he looks like one of the most gifted wide forwards in the game. He was the standout performer in Milan’s 2021/22 Serie A title win and earned Serie A’s “Best Overall” award (MVP) that season, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists.
But today, for many supporters the criticisms can feel like they outweigh the talent. His work rate off the ball is almost always at the forefront of the debate. Fans regularly voice frustration about seeing him walk instead of pressing and question his defensive intensity in certain phases of the game. Former Milan striker Paolo Di Canio, now a pundit for Sky Sport Italia, has openly labelled him “lazy” and suggested football is not his top priority, comments that sparked a very public back‑and‑forth between the two.
Questions about Leão’s behaviour have followed him for several years. One of the early flashpoints came in 2018 at Sporting CP, when he abruptly terminated his contract after an attack on the club’s training ground by ultras. He cited safety concerns at the time, but the situation led to a long legal battle and a significant damages award against him. More recently, during AC Milan’s defeat to Lazio in March 2026, Leão reacted angrily to being substituted around the 66th minute. Cameras caught him arguing as he left the pitch, brushing off then‑coach Massimiliano Allegri’s attempts to calm him and lashing out at water bottles near the bench.
Although personality concerns surround Leão, the Portuguese winger is also known for a generally fun‑loving, positive public image and for being a well‑liked teammate who builds strong connections in the dressing room. Most of his flashpoints appear tied to on‑pitch frustration and dips in form rather than deliberate off‑field misconduct. He has had issues, but nothing so serious that it would be career‑defining or make him impossible for a club like Tottenham to align with.
Leão’s on‑the‑ball qualities are perfectly tailored for Roberto De Zerbi. He excels at receiving under pressure, dribbling in tight spaces, and making quick decisions to move his team up the pitch. As an excellent ball‑carrier and one‑on‑one specialist, he creates chaos in transition and can be a right‑back’s nightmare when he’s feeling it. With a coach known for getting the best out of his attackers and giving his wingers real positional freedom, Leão looks like a natural fit in the Italian’s plans.
The signing of Rafa Leão would not come risk‑free, and if he continues to show the low off‑ball intensity that has fans doubting his ceiling, he could struggle to nail down a role in De Zerbi’s carefully constructed pressing structure. At the same time, he is a player worth being excited about, and Spurs fans have already seen how motivating and demanding De Zerbi can be. If there is anyone who might coax the best version of Rafa Leão out consistently, it is hard not to put De Zerbi near the top of that list. At around £50m, it’s a gamble many Spurs supporters would be happy to take.
