Serie A boss opens up on the future of Chelsea target ahead of the January transfer window

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli on the future of Chelsea target Rafael Leao

As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has touched upon the future of Chelsea target Rafael Leao and advised him to stay.

Chelsea wanted to sign Leao late in the preceding summer transfer window, but Milan were adamant about getting the price which the Blues did not meet at the time.

The Portugal international, who was part of the national team squad that bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-final, has his contract expiring at San Siro in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt).

AC Milan manager Pioli on Rafa Leão: “I advise him to sign a new deal and stay at Milan. I see Rafa very happy here”, he told Sky Sport. 🔴🇵🇹 #ACMilan

On Chelsea links: “Leão here will have the chance to improve again, he feels good at Milan with this group”. #CFC pic.twitter.com/62RV8zfeP3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 19, 2022

A few weeks ago, as quoted by Football. London, Leao’s father talked about how the 23-year-old is comfortable in Milan and that the talks of the contract extension are going well.

But, recently Express revealed that the forward is not ready to sign the extension yet, opening up Chelsea’s chances of signing him in the near future.

It remains to be seen what will happen in this soap opera-like transfer saga. From the Blues’ viewpoint, they could do with a forward like Leao who is versatile enough to play in any position across the forward line and be a potent addition.

After an impressive outing last season where he was a key contributor to Milan winning the Scudetto, the 23-year-old scored six goals and assisted five in 14 league appearances in the first half of this season. Despite not starting games in the World Cup, he did well when coming on from the bench.

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Even though he is not an out-and-out striker, Leao can play out wide and add to the goals and assists, something the Chelsea forward line has struggled to add in the last few months. We scored only 17 goals in 14 league games so far this season, which is nowhere near the standards required.

Whatever the outcome of this saga is, we can only hope that it ends with us signing the Portuguese star.