Chelsea fell short in bid for AC Milan ace despite offering two stars in exchange

Chelsea offered Hakim Ziyech and Christain Pulisic for AC Milan star Rafael Leao

According to the Athletic (Subscription required) (h/t Sun) Chelsea offered Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to AC Milan in an effort to sign star winger Rafael Leao.

Todd Boehly, the owner of Chelsea, placed an £87 million value on the player, but AC Milan insisted on keeping the Portuguese striker and wanted the Blues to pay his £130 million buyout price. Chelsea, for their part, were willing to add players to lower the overall financial commitment.

The 23-year-old recently extended his deal with the six-time Champions League champion for an additional five years. However, the Serie A heavyweights rejected an offer from the Blues for his services.

The Blues still pursued Leao despite signing Mykhaylo Mudryk because they believed the 23-year-old can play as a striker. Since moving to AC Milan from Lille, Leao has developed into an exceptional player and was the Serie A MVP when Milan won the title in 2022.

In 32 Serie A appearances this season, he has 11 goals and eight assists to his credit. While injuries have also limited his impact, his presence on the field adds much to the Rossoneri attack.

Ziyech and Pulisic have fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea this season, and the Blues are considering selling both players during the summer window.

Leao’s signing would have been fantastic if he had persuaded Milan to acquire Pulisic and Ziyech, who have fallen out of favour and do not appear to have a future at Chelsea.

The Portuguese acquisition would have strengthened our front line since he could have played on the right wing or as a striker. He is Milan’s leading league scorer this year with 12 goals, and he could have thrived upfront for us.

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For now, Leao’s future at the San Siro is more or less certain. Given the lack of Champions League revenue next season, it is difdficult to see us pay over the odds to land the Portuguese international.