Chelsea were previously willing to pay around £100m for Rafael Leao.
Chelsea thanks AC Milan striker Rafael Leao. was targeted by the Blues a year ago. Chelsea courted Lea in the summer of 2023 after the Portuguese striker scored 16 goals in all competitions during the season.
Lea had helped fire Milan to the Serie A title just 12 months earlier and his prolific form at the San Siro had sparked interest across Europe. Chelsea were thought to be one of his main suitors, looking for a new striker to replace Romelu Lukaku, but the move did not materialize and he remained in Italy.
The west Londoners are exploring a move for Lea for the first time since Milan and the 2022 Championship season, when his stock couldn’t be much higher. According to Gazzetta dello Sporti, they were prepared to offer around £100m for his signature and continued their pursuit a year later before Lea ended the speculation by penning a new deal in Milan.
At the time, it looked like Chelsea had missed out on the perfect long-term solution to their problems at the top of the pitch. However, their failure to sign Lea has proved a blessing in disguise given his recent lack of form, which has seen him go almost four months without a league goal.
Lea has only hit the back of the net three times in Serie A, the last goal coming at the end of September against Hellas Verona. With six assists, he contributed in other ways, but his goal production is probably meager for a player of his caliber.
The Milan striker has been linked with the summer of 2028 after signing a lengthy contract extension just over a year ago. He is said to have a release clause of around £150m, which top clubs are unwilling to pay unless he is at his best in front of goal.
Lea recently insisted he hopes to match the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi despite his continued barren spell and told Sky Sport Italia he could become one of the best players in the world if he keeps going. sets goals for teammates.
“I’m not selfish,andquot; Leo explained. andquot;I can score goals, but I can also give assists, I pass to my teammates. At these levels, numbers make a difference because Mbappe, [Erling] Haaland and Messi make numbers that speak for themselves. If I think like them, I will reach that level.”
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