Rafael Leo to Chelsea was a transfer window rumor.
Todd Boehly and the new ownership disliked the £130million release clause. Thomas Tuchel has demanded new attacking solutions after Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi followed Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner out of Stamford Bridge.
Alongside the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon, The Times have reported that Boehly has been given encouraged by Leao’s representatives to start talks over a potential £80m deal amid an ongoing contractual dispute. Football.london collects up the latest on this 23-year-old prospect who has been called a game-changer.
Clause release
AC Milan will only sell number 17 if the release clause is met.
Daniele Longo of Calciomercato tweeted, “Leao-Chelsea, more than one contact with his entourage: Milan intends not to listen to bids, only the clause can be a worry for the Rossoneri.”
Leao-Aubameyang dream attack
Thomas Tuchel might field one of Chelsea’s strongest front-threes against West Ham on September 4 – the Blues’ first Premier League encounter after the transfer market closes. Todd Boehly must sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Rafael Leao to do so.
West Londoners reportedly bid £22m for 33-year-old striker on Wednesday. Tuchel is reportedly in talks with Barcelona over Aubameyang’s sale.
The German is eager to reunite with the former Arsenal captain and has made him a priority signing. Leao talks have resurfaced in London.
3-4-3
Since Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has played 3-4-3. Despite a lackluster performance against Leeds, the Blues’ shape has worked.
With Leao on the left, Aubameyang in the middle, and Sterling on the right, West London might be dangerous again. This formation could limit Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic, and Hakim Ziyech’s playing time.
AC Milan’s manager
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli is ‘not bothered’ by Rafael Leao contract and transfer rumors.
Boehly plans to offer £80m and add Rossoneri-wanted players. If they accept the deal’s structure is unknown. The manager’s stance indicates that the cynics may be right about these transfer rumors.
“If he keeps going, yes. Rebic’s there. I’m not at all worried about contractual matters, you can see that he is happy to be with us,” he said via SempreMilan a couple of weeks back in regards to a new deal for Leao.
“He’s a potential champion for strength and jumping abilities. He’s got more goals than previous year. He’s grown without the ball and must now occupy the area.
Ibrahimovic OK
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Chelsea’s £80m bid for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
With just over a week left in the summer transfer window, should Boehly focus on Leao?
Ibrahimovic has praised AC Milan’s number 17 in the past, therefore the answer is yes.
“We’re all unique. “He’s young, he’s maturing, and he has a lot of talent,” the former Manchester United striker told Milan News in 2022. “He wasn’t interested. No one can help if he doesn’t. Previously. He changed and learned on his own.”
Rafael Leo’s situation
Chelsea has reportedly held talks with AC Milan over a deal for Leao, who helped Milan win Serie A last season. A deal seems improbable because the club insists on paying his €150m (£127m) release clause.
