Which Chelsea forward is key to Rafael Leao transfer pursuit?

James Shearman

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
3 min read

Rafael Leao, Milan, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Chelsea could offer Milan a player in exchange for star striker Rafael Leao next summer, having failed to sign the 23-year-old in the recent transfer window.

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The Blues made an offer for Leao, which was turned down, as Milan are looking to receive the player's €150m release clause.

Understandably, despite Leao's talent, Graham Potter's side will not be willing to match that asking price.

So, one way that Chelsea can look to reduce the fee is by including players.

And Milan would be interested in the services of young forward Armando Broja, according to calciomercato.com.

Broja made his first Premier League start for Chelsea in the 0-0 draw with Brentford on Wednesday night.

His work rate was impressive, but his decision making in the final third let him down on numerous occasions.

So despite Broja's potential, the Blues would not hesitate to swap him for Rafael Leao.

Rafael Leao's contract situation

Rafael Leao is only under contract with AC Milan until 2024. And If no new deal is agreed before then, Milan may be forced to sell.

The Rossoneri have been stung by the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Franck Kessie departing the club as free agents in recent years.

One of the challenges that the Italian side face is giving Leao a wage that can compete with the Premier League sides.

Tuttosport reports that Milan have made him an offer of €6m per season that could ultimately rise to €7m if bonuses are met.

Yes Ronaldo is one of the best players to ever play the game but he isn't that guy anymore. Praying Chelsea stay away from him in January and focus on Nkunku & Leao.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) October 20, 2022

Such a figure is unlikely to deter a Premier League side from attempting to snap up a player that they rate highly.

Leao has scored 15 goals and created 14 more in Serie A since the beginning of the 2021/22 season, and aged just 23, these elite clubs will believe there is more to come from him.

For Chelsea, a wage of €7m per year corresponds to the average squad player. Callum Hudson-Odoi, for example, reputedly earns a little over that figure.

This helps to highlight the spending power of the Premier League clubs and shows why both Chelsea and Manchester City hold high hopes of being able to sign Leao, if not in January, then potentially in summer 2023.