Chelsea transfer blow as Milan Skriniar and Rafael Leao could sign new deals with respective clubs
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea have been handed a double transfer blow as their targets Rafael Leao and Milan Skriniar could sign new deals with their respective clubs.
Both Skriniar and Leao were transfer targets for the Blues during the summer transfer window. Although nothing materialised at the time, the club have kept their interest alive in the duo.
However, it looks like Inter Milan will begin talks with the former in the next few days and as per their CEO Giuseppe Morata, they are confident of reaching an agreement over a new deal.
On the other hand, AC Milan are confident of making Leao sign a new deal with the club. They could get this signature done before the World Cup.
After the departure of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea were scrambling in the market and had Skriniar in their sights. With that not turning into a possibility, they eventually signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana to fill up the vacant spots in central defence.
Leao was a transfer target when Thomas Tuchel was in charge, but new manager Graham Potter has also spoken highly of the Portuguese international without commenting on his future in particular.
Having missed signing them in the summer, it seems as if the Blues would lose out on both players in the near future as well, provided the confidence of Milan clubs is converted into reality.
With Thiago Silva turning 38, it is paramount that the club finds his long-term replacement sooner rather than later. If not Skriniar, then they are linked with young defender Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig.
More Chelsea News:
- Brighton star and Chelsea transfer target Leandro Trossard put future talks on hold till after the World Cup
- Chelsea boss Graham Potter has identified Jonathan David as an ideal striker
- Jorginho seeks pay rise after Chelsea made contract offer to the midfielder.
In the forward line, Leao could have added dynamism and variety to that department. But, the Blues have an agreement to bring Christopher Nkunku next summer. Whether the two Leipzig players can be great options going forward, remains to be seen.