Chelsea will play AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night and this will be a chance for the two teams to discuss a Rafael Leao transfer to Stamford Bridge, according to a report.
The left winger was in great form last season, registering 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. This helped Milan to win the Serie A title for the first time in 11 seasons, while they also reached the semi-final of the Coppa Italia.
Leao continues to score goals, having found the net four times already this term. That includes a brace in Milan’s 3-2 derby victory over local rivals Inter on September 3.
Reports claim Leao was a top target for Chelsea during the summer transfer window. Thomas Tuchel was hunting for a new wide attacker to improve his options, in addition to the signing of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
Chelsea made a late play for the Portuguese on transfer deadline day, after several months of courting him. However, there is a bit of a disagreement over how much the Blues’ offer was worth.
Reports in England put the bid at £69m, while sources in Italy claimed it to be worth £79m.
More importantly, though, Milan pushed Chelsea’s advances back. They view Leao as a key player, while they are also protected by his contract. It doesn’t expire until summer 2024.
Milan technical director Paolo Maldini told his Chelsea counterparts they would have to part with an eye-watering £130m to complete a deal, as this is Leao’s release clause.
Milan attempt Rafael Leao extension amid Chelsea rumours
The Rossoneri are also engaged in contract talks with the player and his agent to try and get him to pledge his long-term future to the club.
Recently, Maldini admitted Leao is not ‘unsellable’ due to the amount of money Milan could get when letting him leave.
And Chelsea remain in the hunt for the 23-year-old as they are plotting a move for him next year.
Italian outlet Calciomercato provide an update on the situation. They claim the Chelsea vs Milan fixture is a great chance for the two clubs to discuss potential transfers.
Chelsea chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly is set to meet with senior Milan officials to discuss Leao’s prospective switch to west London.
Boehly will probably be told to put up a serious amount of money for the goalscorer once again. This will likely be somewhere between £79m and £130m.
Rossoneri want Chelsea duo
Calciomercato claim Milan will also enquire about signing two of Graham Potter’s players. They are Christian Pulisic and Trevoh Chalobah.
This is not the first time Pulisic has been linked with Milan. Chalobah, meanwhile, almost moved to Inter in the summer before Chelsea scuppered the loan deal.
The report doesn’t mention whether Pulisic and Chalobah could arrive at the San Siro as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Leao. But that is certainly a possibility, as it would save Chelsea serious money.
Chelsea’s hunt for Leao largely depends on their success when it comes to Christopher Nkunku. He has already had a medical ahead of joining Chelsea; they just need to agree a deal with RB Leipzig.
If the Nkunku pursuit fails and he ends up joining a Premier League rival, then Chelsea will make signing Leao their top priority.
Another possibility is Chelsea going after an Arsenal forward who has been in great form this season.
