Barcelona and Chelsea to keep an eye on Portugal international at 2022 World Cup

Barcelona join Chelsea in the race for AC Milan star Rafael Leao

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football. London), Barcelona are set to join Chelsea in the race for talented Portuguese star Rafael Leao from AC Milan with the Spanish club also interested in the 23-year-old.

Chelsea’s interest in Leao has been prevalent for quite some time now. The talented Portuguese forward has been setting the Serie A alight with his performances and he has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for quite some time now.

Leao would be the perfect player for Chelsea and he would be unlike any of the attacking options that the Blues have at their disposal. Surprisingly tall for a winger, the AC Milan forward uses his physicality and strength to get past players and has a mean finish on him.

The 23-year-old has been wreaking havoc on the left side of attack for AC Milan along with Theo Hernandez, and the duo have formed a fearsome full-back-winger combination for the Italian club. Both these players are arguably the most important ones for Stefano Pioli’s side.

Leao joined AC Milan from Lille in 2019 and has since gone on from strength to strength. In 20 matches for the Italian defending champions across all competitions this season, the 23-year-old has scored seven goals and provided a further nine assists.

Leao has a contract with AC Milan until 2024 (Transfermarkt) and he is yet to renew his contract with the Italian giants. A number of clubs around the world will be keeping a keen eye on the situation as they look to pry the youngster away from Italy.

Chelsea will not like the fact that Barcelona are also interested in the player. The Spanish club have caused a lot of issues for the Blues in the transfer windows in the recent past and they will want to avoid another Raphinha or Jules Kounde situation with Leao.

Leao is now on international duty with Portugal and a number of clubs will keep a keen eye on how the AC Milan man goes about his business in Qatar. The AC Milan man plays for a talented national team which is more than capable of winning the cup.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea target Jude Bellingham wants to play for Real Madrid despite £130 million valuation barrier
• Paul Barber recalls Chelsea call for Graham Potter after Thomas Tuchel sacking
• Wayne Rooney backs Chelsea playmaker Kai Havertz to have a good tournament at the FIFA World Cup

It will not be easy for the Blues to tempt the Portuguese forward to come to West London, but we need to give our everything to try and sign a player who can define an era for us. Let’s hope we can do just that.