Chelsea have been buoyed in their attempts to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao as a period of transfer merry-go-round is set to ensue in 2023. The Blues promise to be one of the busiest teams in the market with gaps across their team for Graham Potter to patch up, and Leao is one of the names at the top of their shortlist.
Having tried to sign him over the summer there is now a case of waiting involved in the approach from Todd Boehly with Leao out of contract in 2024. As he slowly runs down his deal the pressure increases on Milan to tie him down to an extension before January 2024, at which point he can negotiate a free deal away.
Given that Leao has a monster £127m release clause it is understandable that sides are being cautious in their attempts to buy him out of his current dealm but the prospect of a cheaper January price is on the cards.
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With suitors for the Portugal star growing over the World Cup Milan are now stepping up their attempts to bring in someone that can play in his position.
According to Italian publication La Repubblica it is France's breakout star Randal Kolo Muani that has been highlighted for this. The attacker was subbed on in the first half of the World Cup final against Argentina last week and made a good impression after replacing Ousmane Dembele.
The 24-year-old only joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer on a free from Nantes and has shown his skills already, scoring five and assisting 10 in Germany this season. Tottenham were amongst the teams chasing his signature before the Bundesliga switch and they may be regretting missing out already, with Milan reportedly ready to spend £30m for him.
The Serie A champions also hold existing interest in Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea and he appears a more direct source of replacement for Leao, but for now the Blues will have to wait and monitor the 23-year-old's contract progress to snap up any opportunites that may present themselves.
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