Chelsea handed transfer boost as Leao stalls on Milan contract

Suraj Radia

• 12 Dec 2022 22:23 GMT
• 2 min read

Rafael Leao is unwilling to renew his Milan contract, giving Chelsea a major transfer boost and putting a host of Europe’s top sides on red alert.

The Portuguese international is heading into the final 18 months of his contract at the San Siro but Sky Sport Germany have claimed Leao is unconvinced that Milan can offer him the terms he is looking for.

Leao is currently thought to be on a salary of around €1.8 million a year but is seeking more than the reported €7m that Milan are offering.

REVEALED: Leao opens up about Milan contract talks

Despite the contractual impasse, Milan are not willing to sell Leao, either in January or next summer, having previously turned down a €70m offer from Chelsea.

The Serie A side are believed to be holding out for the release clause in his contract, thought to be worth around €150m, with Real Madrid and Manchester City also ready to compete with Chelsea for his signing.

Chelsea allegedly held talks over Leao in Qatar, where the 23-year-old netted twice in just 83 minutes of football for Portugal.

Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Liverpool are also believed to be monitoring the situation but Chelsea may push the hardest for Leao and could have the upper hand, having held a long-term interest in the forward.

TARGETS: Five alternatives to Leao for Chelsea

Milan remain confident of Leao deal

Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara are hoping to continue talks with Leao’s agent in the hopes of eventually reaching an agreement, with president Paolo Scaroni remaining confident of striking a deal.

"They tell me that in Milan [Leao] is very comfortable, that he is motivated," Scaroni said. "I know that Maldini is negotiating with him and as far as I just said: if he negotiates, I’m calm."

Speaking in October, Massara also expressed his belief that Leao would sign a new deal, saying: "We are confident. We want to consolidate this growth that the boy has had and stabilise the team to give continuity at the highest levels, and we will try to find a solution to continue for a long time with Leao."