Chelsea are willing to go the distance in their efforts to sign Rafael Leao, who finds himself in a complex contract renewal situation.
According to Sport Italia, the situation with Rafael Leao is reaching another level of complexity, with Chelsea pushing hard to sign the 23-year-old attacker. The Portugal international is at a crossroads regarding a contract renewal with AC Milan, with the need for a decision imminent.
Rafael Leao made his mark in an AC Milan shirt, helping the club win the Serie A title and becoming the league’s MVP. The future of the 23-year-old attacker seems bright as several clubs remain interested in signing him at the next available opportunity.
Leao has found himself in a complex situation with multiple factors affecting his future decision. Milan has been trying to renew his contract beyond the 2024 mark but faces several challenges. For one, there are the financial implications of offering the 23-year-old attacker a new contract.
Secondly, Leao and his camp want to resolve the issue with former side Sporting CP, to whom the player owes a reported €19 million in compensation. Milan may not want to get dragged into the situation and could refuse to pay the required sums.
The Serie A giants know a new contract will also mean a larger commitment towards paying Leao a considerably large salary, something they are willing to oblige. They hope to negotiate with Jorge Mendes over the transfer and find an agreement between now and June.
Beyond that, they may look to sell the 23-year-old attacker, with Chelsea lurking in the background. The Blues have relentlessly chased the Portuguese international since the summer window and remain acutely interested.
As per the report, Chelsea are willing to do anything along the way to ensure the Portuguese international signs up. They may also resolve his issue with Sporting CP, reach a consensus on the commissions and offer the player a significant salary. While their interest is certain, Leao wants to renew his contract with Milan.
However, in light of the problems facing the 23-year-old attacker, Leao may end up opting to resolve those issues by joining Chelsea. Hence, the Blues could find themselves in a promising situation, with Milan resigning their chances by opting against a renewal.
