Chelsea are now ‘sensing an opportunity’ to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao in the January transfer window, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The Lowdown: Chelsea’s Leao interest
As per a report from Football London, Leao is a January possibility for Chelsea, but it is deemed more likely that they will wait for the summer before launching a serious attempt to sign him.
CalcioMercato claim that Milan would only see fit to allow the Portugal international to leave if they receive a bid of at least £70m, but a fresh update from Phillips claims that a move to Stamford Bridge could now be concluded this winter…
The Latest: Phillips’ update
As a result of the 23-year-old’s contract being set to expire in June 2024, and the player showing no signs of being willing to commit to a new one, Phillips believes that the Blues could finalise the transfer earlier than initially expected.
When asked about the Blues’ targets in January by GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said:
“One of them on the shortlist is obviously Rafael Leao.
“I think the intention there was to try and get him in during the summer but, at the moment, they’re sensing an opportunity due to his contract situation.”
The Verdict: Worth it?
Paolo Maldini, now technical director at Milan, hailed Leao as a ‘diamond’, and this has been displayed in his recent performances, dazzling defenders by completing an average of 3.01 dribbles per 90 minutes over the past year, a figure that places him in the 95th percentile compares to his peers.
The speedster reached double figures for both goals and assists in the Serie A last season, highlighting the varied nature of his game, and he has started this campaign in even better form, registering just under one assist every other game, with nine in 20 appearances.
Chelsea need a creative spark from somewhere if they are to mount a challenge for a top-four finish this season, having scored the least goals of any side in the top half of the Premier League, with 17.
As such, the winger would be a fantastic and much-needed acquisition, even if Graham Potter has to match the reported £70m price tag.
