Chelsea beat AC Milan but receive Rafa Leao blow
FT Desk
- 6 Oct 2022 07:28 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea beat AC Milan 3-0 on Wednesday, but that doesn't mean the chances of the Blues signing Portugal winger Rafael Leao have improved.
Leao was the subject of a €120 million bid from Chelsea this summer, but Milan spurned their advances, holding firm in their desire to see Lea stay at San Siro for another few seasons.
The Rossoneri have been crowned European champions seven times, most recently in 2007, but they were well beaten on Wednesday, with two summer arrivals - Wesley Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - as well as Reece James finding the target at Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan have rejected a €100m offer from Chelsea for Rafael Leao, according to as 🤯#DeadlineDay ⏰ pic.twitter.com/j7tF3omDwz
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 1, 2022
Leao had 72 minutes directly up against James before making way for Brahim Diaz. The result could be taken as an advert for how far ahead Chelsea now are of Milan, but their sporting director Paolo Maldini - part of that 2007 Champions League-winning team - is sticking to his guns regarding Leao.
Maldini: 'Rough diamond'
"Leao's still a rough diamond," he said. "He arrived at the age of 20, I didn't have his sense of confidence at 20. Each of us have a different path to take. I felt the pressure and needed a pat on the back or reassuring word at the right time, so these lads too need the same support a father gives to his child."
Leao is understood to be demanding €7m per season in order to extend his contract which currently runs until 30 June 2024. Milan sound like they would be willing to match that.
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"We have the desire to extend the contracts with him, Ismael Bennacer and Pierre Kalulu," continued Maldini. "That's the intention, then naturally we need to sit around a table and negotiate.
"I think Milan's the best place for Rafa to develop completely as a player, in my view."
Leao had 11 goals and 10 assists as Milan won the Scudetto last season, and already has four in each columns after just seven Serie A games this term.
