AC Milan will not entertain transfer offers below €100m (£88m) this January for Rafael Leao, with Chelsea and Tottenham both interested in signing the Portuguese international.
According to CalcioMercato, the Serie A giants are eager to retain the 23-year-old attacker in the winter window, with Milan stating that they will not sell Leao for anything less than €100m, with the winger in contention of becoming the club’s most expensive sale.
Kaka’s move to Real Madrid in 2009 remains Milan’s biggest-ever departure at €65m, a world-record fee at the time. Yet the Rossoneri could now recoup more for Leao if the forward is to leave the San Siro side in 2023, with Chelsea and Tottenham both interested.
TuttoMercatoWeb have previously reported that both London sides are interested in the attacker, with Chelsea even believed to be lining up a January bid for Leao that could test Milan’s resolve if it exceeds the €100m benchmark, with Graham Potter in need of a new leading man.
With new owner Todd Boehly eager to impress fans with big-money signings, Leao could be quite the addition for the Blues if the west London side are to meet Milan’s expectations for their star attacker. As a result, though, Tottenham could be left scrambling.
Indeed, Leao seems to be a potential replacement for Harry Kane should the striker leave north London next year. Yet with Chelsea interested and Milan setting their demands, there’s a strong chance that the Blues will look to sign the Portuguese international in the January window.
Chelsea signing Rafael Leao feels like a certainty now
Chelsea’s need for a superstar attacker will likely lead to a big signing in January, and if Leao is to impress in Qatar, there’s a strong chance that the wallet will come out from Boehly to move for the Portuguese superstar in January.
After all, Milan’s asking price is somewhat reasonable given Leao’s incredible abilities and potential, with the youngster often likened to Kylian Mbappe. And for Chelsea, signing the attacker ahead of Tottenham would be a huge boost for the west London side.
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