Chelsea handed Rafael Leao blow as AC Milan step up contract talks. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football.London), Portugal winger Rafael Leao has given an update on his AC Milan future and hinted at the fact that it could be bad news for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s interest in Leao has been public since the latter half of the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old’s contract at San Siro expires in 18 months’ time (Transfermarkt).
A few weeks ago, the 23-year-old’s father initially dealt the Blues a transfer blow when he talked about working on his son’s new deal with Milan and that he loves living in Italy.
Here’s what Leao said regarding his future (h/t Football.London):
“I am happy and proud. I have to stay focused on the World Cup then I’ll speak with Milan upon my return. Renewal? We already had a meeting with Maldini just before joining the national team, it was a positive meeting. Once I return to Milan we will discuss it better.”
The former Lille man is currently with the Portuguese national team playing in the World Cup in Qatar. He came off the bench in both the group games so far, scoring against Ghana and impacting well against Uruguay.
Carrying his excellent form of last season where he scored 11 goals and assisted 10 in 34 league games, Leao scored six goals and assisted five in 14 league games in the first half of this season.
He is a fantastic player who can operate in any position across the forward line. The versatility comes with the advantage that he can be a goal threat irrespective of whether he is playing as a striker or a winger.
Chelsea do lack a cutting edge in their final third. Their wide forwards and strikers are not scoring enough goals to either win games or rescue lost causes.
They have already almost completed the signature of Christopher Nkunku. But, with what we have seen so far, the Blues would need more addition in the forward line soon. Hence, this Leao update may come as a blow to their aspirations of signing him in the future.
We cannot give up though. The extension hasn’t been signed yet. There is still a chance we see Chelsea acquiring the services of the 23-year-old.
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