Milan, Leao’s week: Cardinale and Mendes are working on the sale of the Portuguese, who is increasingly on the fringes of Amorim’s project

The day after for AC Milan feels even sweeter. Torino’s win underlined the progress of several players revived by Amorim: from Musah to De Winter, the standouts in an impressive team display. One player stole the headlines, though: young talent Cisse. As well as scoring his first Serie A goal, he delivered a complete performance in a key role in Amorim’s tactical setup, that of an attacking midfielder drifting in from the left. That is exactly the area of the pitch that has belonged to Leao at AC Milan over the last six years, and the emergence of the Rossoneri’s number 70 only makes the Portuguese’s place in the squad look even more precarious.

End-of-window assessment

Leao has quickly turned into a real transfer saga, from Premier League interest to the only two bids that have arrived from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. AC Milan are now weighing up which way to go in the final eight days of the transfer window because, while Leao has not been left out of the squad like Fofana, Tomori and Nkunku, on the other hand he remains an awkward tactical fit for Amorim and a player the American ownership want to sell.

So far, Cardinale has stood firm on the €60 million valuation of the AC Milan No 10, but that could now change: if an offer of €45/50 million arrives, AC Milan could not ignore it.

Mendes at work

Last week's marathon meeting with Leao's lawyer sent a clear message to everyone involved: Jorge Mendes has been tasked by AC Milan with finding buyers for the 1999-born player. The super agent is focusing on two markets in particular: Saudi Arabia, with Al Hilal ready to return for the Portuguese forward, and England. Keep an eye on the route to Chelsea, a club with whom AC Milan have done several deals over the last five years: Pedro Neto has a number of offers and, if he leaves, Leao could become an option for the Blues.

Doubts over Galatasaray

Galatasaray are in talks over Palace's Sarr, but Rafa remains on the Turkish club's radar. Or at least that's what the intermediary working on the deal between the two clubs has told AC Milan. The opening offer of €30 million plus €5 million in add-ons was knocked back and the Rossoneri are now waiting for an improved bid from the Turks, who should have to add €10-15 million more if they want to bring a long negotiation to a close.