Rafael Leao to Chelsea transfer latest as huge hint dropped on AC Milan's behalf
Rafael Leão to Chelsea was a rumour killed earlier on in the transfer window.
The £130million release clause was something that was frowned upon by Todd Boehly and the
new ownership at the time.
However, with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi expected to follow Romelu Lukaku and Timo
Werner out of the Stamford Bridge exit doors, manager Thomas Tuchel has demanded that new
attacking solutions are found.
Alongside the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon, The Times have reported
that Boehly has been given encouraged by Leao's representatives to start talks over a potential
£80m deal amid an ongoing contractual dispute.
With this said, football.london rounds up all the latest on the transfer saga regarding
this 23-year-old talent who has been described by many supporters as a game-changer type
of signing.
AC Milan are not prepared to listen to play plus cash offers for their number 17 and will
only sell on one condition- the release clause.
Calciomercato Journalist Daniele Longo tweeted: 'Leao-Chelsea, more than one contact with
his entourage: Milan intending not to listen to offers, only the clause can be a danger
for the Rossoneri.'
Thomas Tuchel could field one of Chelsea's strongest front-threes against West Ham on
September 4 — the Blues' first Premier League game once the summer transfer window slams
shut.
But to do this, Todd Boehly will have to complete the signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
and Rafael Leao, who have both been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
football.london understand that the west Londoners submitted a £22million bid for the 33-year-old
striker on Wednesday evening.
It's believed that talks with Barcelona giants over Aubameyang's sale are ongoing, with Tuchel
a key plauyer in a potential deal.
It's understood that the German is eager to reunite with the former Arsenal captain and
has specifically identified the Gabon international as a priority signing.
Meanwhile, talks of Leao swapping the Milan for London have resurfaced.
The 3-4-3 has been synonymous with Chelsea since Tuchel took the helm at Stamford Bridge.
Despite an unconvincing display at Elland Road versus Leeds United, the formation has
proved successful for the Blues.
With Leao on the left, Aubameyang spearheading the front-three and Raheem Sterling on the
right, the west Londoners could be a force to be reckoned with again.
However, a formation like this could restrict the minutes given to Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher,
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech.
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has already admitted that he is 'not at all worried' by
the Rafael Leao Chelsea transfer and contract speculation.
Boehly plans on bidding £80m outright and adding players wanted by Rossoneri into the
operation.
Whether or not they accept the structure of the deal being proposed remains to be seen.
But the manager's stance in this situation has indicated that the cynics could be right
in the end with their assessment of these transfer rumours.
“If he maintains this level, yes.
Otherwise Rebic is there.
I’m not at all worried about contractual matters, you can see that he is happy to be
with us,” he said via SempreMilan a couple of weeks back in regards to a new deal for
Leao.
“Potentially he is a champion, for strength and ability to jump man.
He has many goals in his legs, even more than last year.
He has grown a lot without the ball, now he must be able to occupy the area better.”
Footballing icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already given his verdict and approval on Rafael Leao
as Chelsea plot an ambitious £80million swoop for the AC Milan star.
There are rumours that this deal could prove to be 'mission impossible', so is it worth
Boehly's time to concentrate largely on Leao with just over a week left of the summer transfer
window?
Well, if Ibrahimovic's past verdict is anything to go by, then the answer is yes as the Swede
has previously gone on record to list the qualities that AC Milan's number 17 possesses
in abundance.
“We all have a different character.
He is young, he is maturing, he can still grow a lot for the talent he has," the former
Man United striker told Milan News at the start of 2022.
"I couldn’t stimulate him.
If he doesn’t help himself, no one can help him.
Before this season.
He totally changed, he figured out what to do on his own."
90Min reports that Chelsea have held talks with AC Milan over a move for 23-year-old
Leao, who proved pivotal in their title win in Serie A last season.
However, a deal may seem unlikely as the club's stance are that his release clause of €150million
(£127million) must be paid to let him leave.