Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has told Sky Sports – as per Football Daily – that Chelsea made an offer between £60million and £69million for Rafael Leao in the final days of the window, amid Liverpool and Manchester City interest.
Leao, 23, has thrown himself onto the radar of the world’s biggest clubs after a wonderful 2021-22 season. Helping Milan win Serie A, he had a hand in 26 goals during 42 games – scoring 12 and creating 14 more from out wide.
This season, that form has continued with three goals and four assists in just seven games. Reports in the summer suggested that Liverpool and Manchester City were among the clubs considering a move for the Portugal superstar.
However, it now appears that Chelsea wanted to continue their spending in the dying embers of the window. They tabled a mammoth offer to sign him in the final days before the deadline, but Di Marzio says it came too late.
“It is not so, so close. Chelsea decided to offer €70, €80million in the last days of the market,” Di Marzio reports. “AC Milan could not find a substitute, even if they liked Hakim Ziyech so much. But there was no time to deal this time.
“Now, the problem for AC Milan is the contract. His contract runs out in the summer of 2024, and if they do not renew this deal in the next few months, I think Chelsea will come back in [to sign Leao].”
Di Marzio: Chelsea made Leao offer, Liverpool and Manchester City keen
Leao is an incredible talent. Still only 23, he is a Serie A champion with 55 goal involvements in 122 Milan outings. A player that can play as a 10, on either flank but also up front. His best position seems to be from the left.
For any club in the world, he would be a terrific signing. But he is already with one of the world’s best sides and it would take some going to get him out of the club. Perhaps, a similar fee come January or next summer would get him.
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