Chelsea target Rafael Leao intends to stay put at AC Milan. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), Rafael Leao has turned down interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid as he wants to stay at AC Milan.
The Portuguese striker, whose contract is set to expire in 2024, is now planning to stay at the Serie A club despite Chelsea’s interest. However, while extension discussions are now ongoing with Milan, he is yet to put pen to paper.
Leao’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to have conducted conversations with Chelsea and Real Madrid. Although it is understood that Leao has turned down both European powerhouses because he wants to continue playing for the Rossoneri.
Signing Leao would have added some much-needed firepower to Chelsea’s frontline. Leao, however, is not intent on transferring to West London and has requested agents to help achieve a new deal with Milan.
Since joining AC Milan, the forward has made a name for himself, attracting interest from other teams. In 29 Serie A appearances, the 23-year-old has 12 goals and seven assists this season. He continues to be Milan’s biggest name on paper.
The former LOSC Lille attacker has been outstanding this year, helping Milan get to the semifinals of the Champions League, where they will play arch-rivals Inter Milan. Having led the Rossoneri to domestic glory last season, an unlikely European crown would be the cherry to top it off.
He has become one of the key players for AC Milan there, it’s possible that he feels the need to stay for an extended period of time. He is still young and has enough time to join other European elite clubs.
Real Madrid could require a player in the meantime because Rodrygo frequently plays on the right side and they don’t have a replacement for Vinicius Junior, who can give competition to the Brazilian on left-flank.
Meanwhile, we already have players like Raheem Sterling, Noni Maduke, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Christian Pulisic who play in Rafael Leao’s position. Losing out on his signing isn’t necessarily a terrible thing for us and there are other alternatives who can step up.
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