Chelsea linked with former Mudryk alternative

Ronan Murphy

• Updated: 15 May 2023 21:13 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have already found a replacement for Mykhaylo Mudryk.

A report via the Express suggests AC Milan forward Rafael Leao could be brought in over the summer transfer window despite the attacker signing a fresh deal with his current club earlier this month.

The 23-year-old was targeted by the Blues in January but they were unable to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

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During the winter window, the Premier League outfit were pointed to his £130million release clause at the time.

They face even more of an uphill battle this time as the Milan star has since penned a new and improved five-year deal at the San Siro - in a deal that has seen his release clause raise to around £152m.

Mudryk fails to hit the mark

It could be that such a move could land Mudryk in trouble. The Ukraine international has failed to make his mark since arriving at west London in January. He was even left out of starting XI for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, with interim manager Frank Lampard opting not to even use him from the bench.

The Athletic have shot down such ideas, though - they say that if Leao does come in it would be to play down the middle as a No.9 rather than on the wing.

Chelsea had offered two players in exchange for Leao - proposing to Milan that in exchange for the Portuguese star and some money, they could have Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech.

But the move failed, and both those players remain at Stamford Bridge with uncertain futures.

Lampard is currently in the dugout for his former club but it appears that Mauricio Pochettino will be taking over as boss ahead of the next campaign. The Argentine has reportedly agreed terms with Chelsea, with the deal now just needing to be finalised.