Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed on the ‘Talking Transfers’ podcast that Chelsea may still try and sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao even if he signs a new contract with the Serie A side.
The Blues made a late surge to sign the Portugal international during this summer’s transfer window.
However, the interest came too late and the quoted price was too high to get a deal over the line, with the fee in excess of £105m.
They were offered a first-hand viewing of the talented winger this season, as Chelsea took on the Serie A champions in two must-win European games.
Chelsea confident of Leao
Unfortunately, they learnt more from those outings about the quality of Reece James’ defending than the attacking brilliance of Leao.
Nevertheless, Bailey has claimed that there is still interest in the player from Stamford Bridge. Even if he signs his reported new contract at Milan, they may still be able to get the deal done.
He said: “He’s one of the players Chelsea love. They’ve been watching him since before Todd Boehly took over. The issue at the moment is that Milan are trying to tie him down to a new contract. They’ve made him an offer which we understand will make him the highest paid player in Serie A. He hasn’t signed it yet.
“I’m not sure I see him signing a new deal. If he does, it’ll have a very interesting release clause in it that will allow teams to move for him. But yeah, I think Chelsea could move for him this summer. They like him a lot.”
With Raheem Sterling still looking for his best form on the left-hand-side, the deal could bring a real explosiveness to the attack of Chelsea, which has been lacking goals up to this stage of the season.
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