Transfer News: Chelsea target Rafael Leao to be offered new contract by AC Milan
In what will come as disappointing news to Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea, AC Milan are planning to offer a new contract to their forward Rafael Leao. This is according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano via Twitter.
He quoted Milan manager Stefano Pioli saying that the club want to offer the 23-year-old a new deal soon. He also says that the Portuguese international is not creating any problems and is working hard.
The club wants to offer Leão a new deal soon. They will take care of it – he’s working at the best level. He’s not creating any problem, he’s just working hard as top professional.
Chelsea were linked with a move for the forward this summer. Evening Standard had reported that the Milan club had set a price of £126 million for their player of the season.
Thomas Tuchel wanted to bring in another attacker after the club let Timo Werner leave. Leao was shortlisted from many options and the player was also keen on a move to the Premier League.
However, the asking price and also some hesitancy from the Rossoneri to sell the forward ultimately resulted in no movement of the player. A versatile forward, he was in fine form last season. The 23-year-old scored 11 goals and recorded 10 assists in 34 league games for the Milan outfit last season.
Leao has continued his form this season too. The player has already scored three goals and has two assists in five games this season. The Portugal international would have been a fine signing for the Blues and would have helped them score more goals.
The forward’s current contract runs till 2024 (transfermarkt). Should he sign a new contract, his price will skyrocket. It will effectively become impossible for the Blues to sign the player unless he has a feasible release clause. If Tuchel wants him, he should try and convince the forward to not sign any extension.
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It is highly unlikely that the player will create any situation to force a transfer. Tuchel can only hope that there is some clause in his new contract that can make it feasible for the Blues to approach him. Fans will hope the club does not regret missing out on the player this summer.