Chelsea’s management may miss out on a signing this summer as they continue to look for new players to join the Stamford Bridge roster.
Chelsea could be beaten to the signing of AC Milan ace Rafael Leao this summer (Image: GETTY)
Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian team, is allegedly willing to pay Chelsea £85 million in exchange for Rafael Leao, and Chelsea is facing a transfer hijack. The AC Milan winger has emerged as one of Europe’s top attackers in recent years, and he has been connected to a big-money transfer out of the San Siro.
Leao left Lille in 2019 after making progress through the Sporting academy to sign with Milan. And in 209 games for his current employers, the 24-year-old has gone on to score 57 goals and dish out 50 assists.
With his rapid speed and ability to overtake defenders, the player has experience playing in major leagues such as the Champions League and Europa League. He also played for Portugal in the most recent World Cup in Qatar. He was also included on the 25-person Ballon d’Or shortlist for 2022.
Leao’s father Antonio is acting as a go-between for Milan and Al-Hilal, and Portuguese super agent Mario Rui, who is connected to the Saudi royal family, may also communicate with the player’s entourage in the future. Al-Hilal will make Milan an initial bid of £85 million, and the Italian club has already signaled to potential suitors that they won’t take a bid lower than Leao’s £149 million release clause. These reports are based on O Jogo, a Portuguese publication.
Leao is rumored to be drawing interest from numerous elite teams, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona reportedly among those interested in signing him.
Additionally, it was revealed last month that Jorge Mendes, the agent for the Portugal international who also represents a number of other elite players, met with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Manchester United.
Leao has a contract with Milan through the summer of 2028, so Chelsea will need to pay enormous sums of money to get him to leave Italy. However, Leao hinted earlier this year that he had no plans to leave his current team, so the Blues might be let down.
I call it home. I enjoy everything. He told Corriere della Sera, “It’s similar to Portugal in terms of shopping, fashion, and even weather.” “Try visiting Lille if you think the weather is cold. And speaking of food, I adore every aspect of Italian cooking. Fish, risotto, and pasta. I am here, I have four years left on my contract, and my future is at Milan.
“Milan provided me with support and assistance during a very trying time. I’ll never forget. I have loyalty. I was a young child when I moved here, and I’ve developed into a man and a football player. My mind is here, and I want to win again.”
