Report: AC Milan doing all it takes to keep Chelsea target at San Siro

AC Milan keen to keep Chelsea target Rafael Leao at the San Siro

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, as quoted by Football Italia (h/t Football. London), Italian giants AC Millan are in negotiations with the former club of Chelsea target Rafael Leao, Sporting CP trying to bring down the €20m that the Portuguese winger owes the club.

The Rossoneri want to do everything in their power to try and tie down the scintillating Portuguese forward to a long-term deal amidst many European giants circling around Leao. Chelsea are very interested in signing the star man and this would come as a blow to him.

The 23-year-old has been sensational for the Italian giants in the past couple of seasons. Leao came to Milan from LOSC Lille in 2019. He has formed a deadly partnership with Theo Hernandez on the left flank and the duo combined to devastating effect on a number of occasions.

Before joining Lille, Leao was a part of Sporting CP. The Portuguese forward was a part of the Liga Nos club’s academy and graduated through the ranks before breaking into the first team. However, things did not end on the best note between the two parties.

Leao was ordered to pay a compensation fee towards his former club which is said to be around €20m. It is now being claimed that the forward wants his current club to help him with this situation which could go a long way in him tying down his future to Milan.

The Portuguese forward has had a sensational start to the season. Leao has played eight times for the Italian club this season across all competitions and has managed to score three goals and provide six assists until now. These numbers are very impressive and should only get better.

The 23-year-old is not the typical winger that one would imagine. He is extremely physical, tall and uses his body well to get past players. One of Leao’s biggest advantages is his ruthlessness in front of goal- something Chelsea could do with.

Leao will be a great addition to Chelsea. He will be unlike any other player we have, profile-wise and would fit into the team very well. However, the Portuguese forward might not get as much prominence as he does at Milan and this could be a factor.

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Leao’s future is a very interesting story to keep an eye out for. It remains to be seen if the interest of Chelsea increases in the coming months and if this materialises into something serious after all.