‘Sign a new deal’: Manager urges his ‘incredible’ attacker not to leave, after links with Chelsea

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AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has told Sky Sport via Fabrizio Romano that he is urging Rafael Leao to sign a new contract with his club.

The winger is reportedly firmly on Chelsea’s radar as a potential option to revolutionise their attack.

Leao has been targeted by the Blues since the end of this summer, when it became apparent they still wanted to add to their ranks in attacking areas.

It appears the interest has become known to the 24-year-old, who has since stalled on signing a new deal to stay with the current Serie A champions.

Reports since have claimed that his head has been turned due to the interest from Stamford Bridge.

When asked about situation regarding his star player, Pioli claimed that staying with Milan would be in the best interests of him, in order to reach his highest ceiling with the group around him.

Pioli urges Leao to stay

He said: “I advise him to sign a new deal and stay at Milan. I see Rafa very happy here.

“Leão here will have the chance to improve again, he feels good at Milan with this group”.

Leao showed signs of his brilliance at the World Cup with Portugal, despite the European side exiting in the quarter-finals at the hands of Morocco.

The winger scored twice, including a sensational strike against Switzerland in the Round of 16.

His performances were usually limited to from the bench, however it’s tough to argue that the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix didn’t look stronger when he brought his direct play to the left-hand-side.

Chelsea fans have already had a first-person view of the abilities Leao has when they played Milan in a pair of crucial Champions League games.

Current Blue Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang described him as ‘incredible’ at the time, and he certainly showed he can be a top player in those two games.