Aubameyang admits Chelsea transfer target is ‘incredible’

Suraj Radia

• 6 Oct 2022 21:18 BST
• 3 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang described Rafael Leao as ’an incredible player’ after coming up against him for Chelsea, despite the fact that the Milan forward could end up replacing him at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are believed to be at ‘the front of the queue’ for Leao and the 23-year-old caused trouble for their defence despite his side ultimately losing 3-0 to the Blues in their Champions League group stage affair.

Aubameyang netted his second goal in as many games for Chelsea as the 33-year-old came head-to-head with Leao, who will likely be his successor should the Portuguese international end up at the club next summer.

“He is an incredible player, truly impressive,” Aubameyang said. “He is very fast, powerful, he can make a difference at any moment. Nothing else to say except that he is incredible.”

Leao created Milan’s best opportunity of the night when he weaved his way through Chelsea’s defence before half-time but the former Lille man otherwise saw his chances limited by the performance of Reece James.

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Spurs keen to battle Chelsea for Leao

Leao has two years left on his contract at Milan although he has yet to give any indication of a renewal despite director Paolo Maldini admitting the club are keen to tie him down for the long-term.

Italian sporting director Fabio Cordella has claimed that Tottenham could compete with Chelsea for Leao’s signature and that Milan may not be able to match the wages offered by Premier League clubs.

Cordella said: “Milan do not have the means and do not want to have the means to match the demands of the entourage. The boy did not grow up in Milan, he did not stick to the Rossoneri colours.

“When offers arrive with triple the salary from other parts of the world, it is difficult to keep him. Leão will only renew on his terms, not Milan’s.

“The Portuguese only look at the numbers. Such a young player, who knows he can take three to four times more, doesn’t want to stay in Milan.

“There are clubs that have offered even ten million a year to Leao. Saying Chelsea is not silly, but there are other English clubs on him, including Tottenham.”