Report: Serie A giants ramp up contract talks with key Chelsea transfer target

Chelsea handed Rafael Leao blow as AC Milan step up contract talks

According to Transfer Guru Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan will now focus on their attempts to extend the contract of Rafael Leao, which has come as a blow to Chelsea.

It has been well-documented how much the Blues have been linked with the Portugal international. The player’s father, a few months ago, talked about how he is comfortable in Milan and the talks about the new contract will start soon (Football.London).

Then, a few weeks ago, Express reported that the 23-year-old is not interested in signing an extension with Milan. His current contract at San Siro expires in the summer of 2023 (Transfermarkt).

It remains to be seen whether we are still in pursuit of Leao or will drop the interest. The Milan forward has had an excellent last year or two in Italy, producing performances on a consistent level.

The former Sporting Lisbon player was not a regular starter for Portugal in the World Cup, but impacted games whenever he was asked to come on to the field.

Chelsea handed Rafael Leao blow as AC Milan step up contract talks.
The talks of Rafael Leao and his new contract at Milan have come as a blow to Chelsea. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

In terms of his attributes, Leao is a direct winger, who likes to take on defenders and beat them in tight spaces, is good at both scoring and creating goals and has a rapid pace that can outrun any defender in the world.

Chelsea does lack quality in the forward areas this season. Not just that, we have thirsted for a wide forward to score goals on a regular basis. Leao can give us that and also play in multiple positions.

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Is it a possibility that the Blues can still nip in and signed the 23-year-old? It definitely is, unless Milan agrees on the terms of the new contract with the player very soon.