AC Milan looking to renew contract of Rafael Leao to fend off Chelsea interest. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Simon Phillips via The Score WWIA (h/t football.london), Chelsea have identified AC Milan star Rafael Leao as their go-to option in case deals for other attackers don’t pan out.
Chelsea’s list of attacking targets for the summer seemingly keeps growing with each passing week. Thomas Tuchel’s side are actively seeking goal-scoring solutions in the market should any of their ongoing pursuits fail, AC Milan winger Rafael Leao could emerge as a serious option for the Blues.
Leao was instrumental in AC Milan’s Serie A-winning campaign last term, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea are currently prioritising Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling, and a deal for the England international is expected to be in place soon. Tuchel himself is understood to be pushing for Sterling’s signature, and the 27-year-old is keen on a move to West London.
Hakim Ziyech is closing in on a loan move to AC Milan, but the Blues haven’t asked for any favour in return yet – one might be due though, given that Chelsea sold the pair of Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud to the Italian champions last year. Tomori has been a rock at the back for Milan, while Giroud scored 11 league goals.
Any deal for Leao is not going to be cheap though, despite the good business relationship between the two clubs. Since making his senior international debut in October last year, Leao has earned nine caps for the Portugal national team.
Leao’s compatriot and captain in the national camp, Cristiano Ronaldo is also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. However, it is extremely unlikely at this point that both players will end up at Chelsea together.
Chelsea have so much business going on, it feels too early to consider Plan B. If Sterling arrives, which seems like a matter of time now, then where does Leao fit in?
He can play centrally, but Chelsea have Kai Havertz to fit in. With the World Cup on the horizon, it also seems like a gamble on Leao’s behalf to switch to one of the toughest leagues in the world where many top players are known to have a hard time adapting.
Leao is a fantastic player without any doubt, one of the most promising young talents in Europe right now, but it’s hard to see where he will fit in once Sterling arrives.
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