Transfer News: Chelsea target Rafael Leao could command a fee of around £126m
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (h/t Evening Standard), Rafael Leao could command a fee of around £126m if he is to swap AC Milan to join Chelsea before the summer transfer window comes to an end.
Leao has been linked with the Blues throughout the course of the summer. Reports from recent days could suggest that the London-based club are looking to ramp up their efforts.
However, the aforementioned three-digit figure may just hinder the progressive thinking of the Chelsea board. That is of course unless owner Todd Boehly is hell-bent on paying anything to get the player.
Not only that, the deal could be complicated thanks to a legal wrangle which involves Leao’s previous clubs LOSC Lille and Sporting Lisbon. Leao and Lille have been ordered by the Court of Arbitration to pay £14m to Sporting, which could interfere with the contract negotiations.
Leao, who is a Portuguese international now, has been one of the sought-after wingers in Europe over the last year or so. He is also one of the key figures in Milan’s resurgence to the top in recent times.
The 23-year-old scored 11 goals and assisted 10 more in 34 Serie A appearances last season, becoming a major contributor to the club’s Scudetto success after 11 years of wait. He was also afforded the crown of the league MVP for his troubles.
Although he is a left-winger by trade and by menace, Leao can play anywhere across the front-line, including the centre-forward role, as a right winger or as a number 10 just behind a striker.
The youngster, who is a Sporting Academy product, possesses everything a modern-day must do in order to not just be a threat on the ball in wide areas, but also have the final product in and around the penalty box. 21 goal contributions in the league last season, as mentioned above, is an indication of that going well for him.
More Chelsea News:
- West Ham United are plotting a loan move for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher
- Bayer Leverkusen are interested loaning Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi
- Frenkie de Jong likely to stay at Barcelona amid Chelsea interest
If Chelsea does decide to pay all the possible amount needed to sign the winger, it would be a major coup without a doubt. He would be a handful on the ball and can be a dreadful sight for Premier League defenders, especially fullbacks.