Rafael Leao in action for Portugal.
Chelsea remain interested in AC Milan winger Rafael Leao as their ‘top priority’ in the transfer market, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Leao linked with Chelsea
The Blues headline the collection of Premier League clubs interested in Leao, with Calciomercato reporting earlier this month that the Serie A champions would only be willing to sell him for a figure of more than €80m (£70m).
It has recently emerged that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would be willing to use Jack Grealish in a swap deal to secure the signing of the 23-year-old, but thankfully for Todd Boehly and co, Milan appear uninterested in this proposal.
Journalist Simon Phillips last week told GIVEMESPORT that the Portugal international is on Graham Potter’s shortlist for January, and it now seems like the Chelsea manager may be willing to take that interest one step further…
The Latest: Leao is Chelsea’s “top priority”
Romano has now detailed that Leao is Chelsea’s main transfer target, although he warned that completing a deal in January may be difficult for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Italian said: “Chelsea remain interested in Rafael Leao. He’s a top priority for them for the present and future, but at the moment it depends on Milan. They have an important game in the Champions League with Tottenham.
“They would love to keep the player to fight for the Italian league, to fight for the Champions League. They want to extend his contract as soon as possible so not an easy one.”
The Verdict: Get it done?
Hailed as ‘electric‘ by AC Milan team-mate and former Chelsea ace Fikayo Tomori, the former Lille attacker has been absolutely vital in the Rossoneri’s solid start to the season, displaying his creative abilities by weighing in with nine assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.
That is not the only facet of the winger’s game either, as indicated by his 11 goals in Serie A last term. He has also impressed with his stellar dribbling ability, completing 3.01 per 90 over the last year, a big increase on the 1.69 averaged by Raheem Sterling in that timeframe.
With Christian Pulisic not ruling out a potential departure from Stamford Bridge in an interview earlier this month, Potter could be provided with extra funds from possibly selling the American in order to strengthen his squad in January, and Leao would be an unbelievable replacement if the 24-year-old departs west London.
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