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Miguel Delaney has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur were quoted a monster fee by AC Milan for Rafael Leao when the Lilywhites explored a move for the forward in the final 36 hours of the transfer window.
Spurs secured the services of Randal Kolo Munai on loan on transfer deadline day, with the deal happening out of the blue.
There was very little indication until the weekend that the Frenchman was a realistic option for Tottenham. Instead, the likes of Savinho, Ademola Lookman and Rafeal Leao were most heavily linked with a move to Spurs.
It was claimed by some sources that Spurs entered talks with Milan over a late move for Leao, and we have now received an update on why the transfer did not materialise.
Milan wanted Tottenham to break the bank for Rafael Leao
On deadline day, Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe stated that Tottenham were priced out of a move for Leao, with the Rossoneri demanding too high a transfer fee.
This has now been backed up by Miguel Delaney, who revealed that the Serie A club asked Tottenham Hotspur to pay a whopping €100m (£87m) for the Portuguese international.
The journalist suggested that the Lilywhites explored moves for various forwards in the dying stages of the window before settling on Kolo Muani.
Delaney told The Independent’s Inside Football newsletter: “AC Milan quoted Tottenham Hotspur as much as €100m for Rafael Leao, as sources state that Spurs had cast around for a number of forwards in the final 36 hours of the window.
“That was how they ended up with Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani on loan after protracted negotiations about an option to buy.”
Thomas Frank was particular about the signings he wanted
Delaney explained that the Spurs head coach insisted that he only wanted forwards who would improve his squad instead of making signings for the sake of it.
According to the reporter, the Tottenham head coach views Kolo Muani as someone who can play on the left as well as lead the line.
Delaney added: “Thomas Frank, for his part, was insistent that they only bring in forwards that actually elevate the squad. An eventual list that also includes Xavi Simons, Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus is a higher level than the club’s recent modern business, to be fair, perhaps indicating they are now buying at a different level.
“Kolo Muani is also viewed as particularly suited since he can pose an alternative to Dominic Solanke, but also play on the left.”
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