Chelsea 'working for months' on deal for 'one of the best in the world'

Tom Weber

Updated: 10 Mar 2025 10:44 CDT
3 min read

Superagent Jorge Mendes has been 'working for months' on a transfer for Chelsea target Rafael Leao, according to Italian media.

The AC Milan star finds himself once again in the headlines. It has been a hugely disappointing season for the Rossoneri and Leao, despite still stepping up in big moments, has largely been inconsistent and underwhelming.

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With Milan at serious risk of missing out on Champions League qualification, there is bound to be a major reckoning at the San Siro in the summer. The Serie A giants are expected to hire a new sporting director and potentially a new head coach.

The playing personnel also isn't safe. Joao Felix will be sent back to Chelsea, Theo Hernandez will likely be sold and even Leao is now the subject of uncertainty.

The 25-year-old is Milan's most valuable asset and without Champions League revenues, they could feel compelled to cash in on him. Chelsea, who have a historic interest, in the Portugal international have already made contact with his camp.

Mendes working on Leao transfer

Milan are in no position to demand the whopping €175 million stipulated in Leao's contract, which makes a summer transfer very likely. Indeed, ahead of January, the usually reliable Matteo Moretto revealed that superagent Jorge Mendes had been given a 'mandate' to mediate the player's next move.

Mendes does not officially represent Leao, so it seemed strange reporting at the time, but this new transfer practice was confirmed when RC Lens announced in December that Mendes had been mandated to sell Abdukodir Khusanov, who eventually joined Man City.

According to Calciomercato, Mendes has, in fact, been working on a potential transfer of Leao 'for months,' with Chelsea and Barcelona showing concrete interest in the exciting winger.

With Leao having become a 'part-time protagonist' for Milan this season, a departure in the summer can't be ruled out. Leao, once Milan's key man, is no longer untouchable for the Rossoneri.