Chelsea see €70m Leao bid rejected by Milan

Cameron Smith

• 13 Dec 2022 09:28 CST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have reportedly seen a €70 million bid for Portuguese star Rafael Leao rejected by AC Milan as the Blues continue to improve their forward line.

The 23-year-old joined the Italian giants from French side Lille back in 2018 and was a crucial member of their Scudetto winning side last season, scoring 11 and assisting 10 across the league campaign.

That form prompted Chelsea to begin heavily pursuing a transfer over the summer, but the Blues were unable to agree a deal with Milan. Hakim Ziyech was also linked with a move in the opposite direction, but that didn't materialise as well.

READ: Five Chelsea alternatives to Rafael Leao

Rumours of Leao moving to the West London club was intensified when he followed the likes of Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah on social media after Milan's loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League earlier this season.

Leao's current contract at Milan expires in 2024 and he has a release clause set at €150m, a price that Chelsea may be asked to reach should they wish to sign him.

Over the summer it was also understood that Chelsea have been asked ensure any transfer rids the debt Leao owes to former club Sporting.

READ: Chelsea handed transfer boost as Leao stalls on Milan contract

Upon Leao joining Lille from Sporting, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reportedly ordered the player and club to pay €16.5 million (£14m) plus interest to Sporting after Leao terminated his contract to join the French club.

The debt has reportedly reached £16 million according to The Times, with 25% of Leão’s salary going to the court each month.

Milan reject Chelsea bid for Leao

According to Sky Sports, Leao doesn't want to extend his current contract at Milan, which is due to expire in 2024, which has boosted Chelsea's chances of signing him.

However, Milan have rejected Chelsea's offer of €70m for Leao, with the Blues entering talks with the player in Qatar during the World Cup. Furthermore, the Italian giants want any interested club to activate Leao's €150m release clause.