Chelsea ‘in the race’ for ‘world-class’ £87m star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are ‘very much in the race’ to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to journalist Carlo Garganese.

The Portugal international is currently showcasing his abilities at the World Cup, but may be available for a move to Stamford Bridge to join Graham Potter’s side by the summer.

Chelsea Transfer News – Rafael Leao

CalcioMercato report that Milan’s current stance is not to consider any offers worth less than £87m in the January transfer window, and indicate that the club are still trying to negotiate a new contract, although there has been no progress on this front.

However, the Blues are not the only English club said to be plotting a move, with Spanish sources indicating, via The Manchester Evening News, that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been promised that the club will attempt to bring the 23-year-old to the club in the summer.

Another interested party is believed to be Manchester United, with ESPN reporting that the Red Devils are keen on bolstering their attacking ranks, owing to the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Cody Gakpo is also an option in the same area.

What has Garganese said about Leao?

Garganese does not believe talks have developed to any great extent between Chelsea and the man who has scored 34 goals for AC Milan, via Transfermarkt, but has confirmed they are in the running for him.

However, he outlines the club as potential suitors at the end of the season, telling GIVEMESPORT: “While I don’t think there’s anything advanced with Chelsea, they are very much in the race for him, and I think there is definitely a good possibility that he could leave at the end of the season.“

Could Leao’s price tag rise because of the World Cup?

The Almada-born forward has already a made a very good start in Qatar, notching his first ever Portugal goal, according to Transfermarkt, on the grandest stage of them all.

Once hailed as the “Portuguese Mbappe” by Lille president Gerard Lopez, as per Goal, the emerging talent has a great opportunity to impress at the World Cup, having made such an impact after coming off the bench in the 77th minute, earning himself a 7.1 SofaScore rating.

Despite featuring in a very limited cameo, the winger has laid down a marker to manager Fernando Santos that he deserves more game time in the upcoming fixtures.

Should Portugal go deep into the tournament, Leao – dubbed as “world-class” by journalist Siavoush Fallahi – is likely to get a lot more chances in the team, which could inflate his price tag even higher, amid interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs.

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