Chelsea are looking for leverage over Manchester City in the race to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer as Todd Boehly looked to bolster the club's frontline.
A deal failed to materialise, but the Blues are said to be monitoring the winger's situation amid talks with the Rossoneri over a new deal. Leao, who currently sees his deal at the San Siro expire in 2024, has featured 11 times for Milan in the Serie A this season, directly contributing towards 10 goals.
The Portugal international's impressive displays have continued to court the interest of Europe's biggest clubs and Chelsea seem eager to do whatever it takes to win his signature. According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, the Blues are willing to include three players in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal due to the forward's asking price.
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Leao is said to have a €150million (£130.5million) release clause in his deal with Milan. The report adds that Chelsea could offer up Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja or Hakim Ziyech to lower the fee.
The United States international has been heavily linked with a move to Milan recently. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pulisic would 'gladly accept' a move to the Italian giants in January should he be included as part of swap-deal for the Portuguese star.
Meanwhile, regarding Ziyech, football.london understand that Chelsea are open to selling the Moroccan should a suitable offer be tabled. It's said that Milan made an offer of €25million (£21million) - with €5million (£4.2million) to be paid this year and €20million (£16.8million) the next - in the summer, which was rejected.
According to Calcio Mercato, Milan are keen to sign Broja. Their report states that Chelsea are beginning to consider the Rossoneri's interest in the Albanian.
So, if the various reports are to be believed, then the Blues can be confident in the leverage that they have over City - as it stands. But, after Leao failed to impress against Chelsea in the Champions League, Boehly has been warned against making an impulsive bid to sign Leao.
The winger failed to register a single goal contribution against the west Londoners. He often found himself suppressed by Reece James, who dominated Milan's left-wing - home and away. Speaking to BT Sport, Joe Cole cast doubt as to whether Leao ticks the boxes that a player of his value should fill.
The former Chelsea midfielder said: "Do you know what? For all of his talent and everything tonight, there will be scouts here, and there will be question marks on his attitude.
"He went like most of his teammates tonight. He went a bit limp against James. He didn't get his own way. First 20 minutes, he was loving life, chest out, he was running at players.
"Reece James put it on him a bit, and we watched his body language," added Cole, before reminding potential suitors that there is still time for Leao to elevate his game. "If you're going to spend £100million or whatever his price tag will be, you've got to tick all of the boxes. There's still some time left, and he is exciting."
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