Chelsea are reportedly set to submit a mega €100 million January bid to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
The Blues are ready to make a mega offer to land their summer target Rafael Leao in the upcoming January transfer window. That’s according to Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, which claims that “alarms” are ringing in Milan as Chelsea are “ready to return” with a “mega offer” for the attacker in January.
Leao has been monitored by Chelsea for a long time, and the West London outfit made Leao one of their top transfer targets for 2023 after the signing of Christopher Nkunku. Blues co-owner Todd Boehly is understood to be a big fan of the 23-year-old mercurial talent and is planning to bring Leao to Stamford Bridge next month or at the end of the season, having already failed in his pursuit last summer.
Chelsea were strongly linked over a summer bid for Leao and even saw an informal approach knocked back on deadline day despite their supposed willingness to pay upwards of €100 million when Milan director Paolo Maldini said that the club would only accept offers that met his eye-watering €150 million release clause.
However, Milan’s stern stance could change depending on whether the Rossoneri believe they can still convince him to commit to a new long-term contract.
Milan have been locked in talks with Leao’s representatives over a contract extension, but according to the latest reports, those talks have yet to result in a breakthrough. On the contrary, some journalists even state that the 23-year-old has his head turned by the rumoured Chelsea interest and doesn’t want to extend beyond 2024, which is when his current San Siro deal expires.
Milan have lately tried to sweeten their offer, and they are clearly still in talks with the burgeoning sensation. The contract-rebel situation, though, is now becoming increasingly difficult, and Chelsea are keeping a close eye on it.
Per the above report, the Londoners are about to test the waters with a huge bid in the region of €100 million as they look to tempt Milan into facilitating the transfer. The Blues are prepared to pay the player’s share of a €20 million settlement to Sporting CP and lucrative wages to secure the services of the Portuguese hotshot.
Despite only making off-the-bench appearances at the World Cup, Leao has shone for Portugal at the tournament in Qatar and scored twice, including a stunning solo effort in the 6-1 demolition of Switzerland.
The 23-year-old showcased his enormous potential and creative flair, which can get fans off their seats in excitement. With 11 goals and nine assists to his name, he was named Serie A’s MVP of the season for the 2021-22 season, as he played an important part in Milan’s first Scudetto success in 11 years.
He has been in fine form for AC Milan this season, finding the back of the net seven times and setting up nine more in 20 appearances across all competitions.
Aside from Leao’s pursuit, Chelsea are also on the lookout for a striker in the January transfer market after Armando Broja suffered an ACL injury on his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Borussia Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko is reported to be on their radar.