Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao, with Liverpool and Manchester City also in the running to land the Portuguese international in 2023.
According to Corriere della Sera, the Blues are ahead of everyone in the tussle to land the 23-year-old winger, with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola also both keen on signing Leao, who this season has been one of Milan’s best players and one of the most productive attackers in all of Europe.
As per the report, Leao has been ‘playing like Neymar’ this season, with the forward bagging four goals and seven assists in all competitions. And the attacker’s form has caught the eye of Chelsea, who seemingly want to reinvent their entire attack for 2023 under new owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea are already close to signing Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig according to the Athletic, and adding Leao to the mix would be quite the dangerous mix from the west London side, as well as a damming blow for the likes of City and Liverpool, who will be missing out on a key target.
With a release clause worth €150m (£130m) according to AC Milan Info, Leao would be a Premier League-record signing if Chelsea were to commit to bringing the attacker to west London, with the Rossoneri eager to keep hold of their star winger following his incredible development over the past 12 months.
Indeed, it would take quite the financial effort for Chelsea to sign both Nkunku and Leao. However, with Boehly clearly trying to lay his marker on the club in a big way, there’s a small possibility that the American businessman could beat City and Liverpool to the Milan superstar next year.
Chelsea potentially signing Rafael Leao should worry City and Liverpool
Leao has been arguably one of the best attackers in Europe over the past year, with the winger playing a huge role in Milan’s title win last season and their strong start in both Europe and Serie A this campaign. Yet Chelsea signing the attacker would be huge, and for City and Liverpool, it would be a worrying development.
After all, the Blues have seemingly returned to their ways of buying the biggest and best players around, and signing Leao, alongside Nkunku, would be quite the statement from Graham Potter’s side, with City potentially having a real title contender to consider in the future.
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