Potent winger available for less than half his €150m release clause – but Chelsea won’t bite | OneFootball

Chelsea are short of wingers and strikers right now, and after 2 games where we’ve seen just one shot on target for the Blues, it’s natural that links to dangerous attacking players are surfacing again.

Today CaughtOffside spark up the story once again that the Blues could be interested in Rafael Leao. Previously put off by his price tag, it appears the former Sporting winger could be be becoming a lot more affordable.

In Italy, the Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Leao is going to be part of a big AC Milan clearout, and is now available for just £66m. That’s a tempting price point for a player who has shown immense skill and physical ability – but it’s worth remembering that there’s a reason that the 25 year old is on the market.

Given his demands, his age and his imperfect record in terms of professionalism, we can’t see Chelsea doing this deal, even at a reduced price.

Chelsea’s Leao chase dates back years

Rafael Leao of AC Milan with a Chelsea logo. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Back in 2022, we reported on the news that AC Milan had quoted us €80m for the striker. Around the same time, Fabrizio Romano claimed that was based on an even more vast release clause:

“Chelsea have had an interest in Rafael Leao for over a year, alongside PSG and other top clubs… but it is not an advanced negotiation. AC Milan have always declared Leao as key part of the project, there’s a €150m release clause included into his current contract.”

Since then things have gone very quiet – but it seems like the Portugal star is reaching the end of his time in Milan. He’s certainly not a “key part of the project” there anymore.

Will Chelsea see this as a chance to buy a player they like on the cheap? Or have they moved on from Leao, much as it seems Milan have?