Rafael Leao

Leao has numbered among the most highly regarded potential transfer targets all summer by the Blues' new ownership set-up.

[Emerson Palmieri](/topic/emerson-palmieri) is thought to be closing in on a move to West Ham meanwhile, as Chelsea set about balancing the incomings with some departures. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](/topic/pierre-emerick-aubameyang) and Leicester’s [Wesley Fofana](/topic/wesley-fofana), with talks also ongoing over a transfer for Everton’s Anthony Gordon. [Raheem Sterling](/topic/raheem-sterling), [Kalidou Koulibaly](/topic/kalidou-koulibaly) and Marc Cucurella. [Todd Boehly](/topic/todd-boehly) and Behdad Eghbali have been at pains to keep their eyes open to new transfer opportunities as they arise in their first summer at the [Stamford Bridge](/topic/stamford-bridge) helm.

Chelsea could be on the verge of stepping back into the hunt for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

Emerson Palmieri is thought to be closing in on a move to West Ham meanwhile, as Chelsea set about balancing the incomings with some departures. The Blues continue to close in on deals for Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Leicester's Wesley Fofana, with talks also ongoing over a transfer for Everton's Anthony Gordon. But Blues chiefs are thought to have been urged to look into Leao's status again, opening the door for what could now be a closer exploration of the chances of pulling off a deal.

Hello and welcome to football.london's Chelsea live blog on Monday! It's a new week which means a fresh start for the Blues, which is much-needed.

If the money isn't generated in time, Kounde could potentially leave at the [end of the month.](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/wesley-fofana-kounde-boehly-chelsea-24800521) [Blues](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/) step up their pursuit of Wesley Fofana, an exit seems to be well on the cards. It's believed that talks with the Spanish giants over [Aubameyang](https://www.football.london/all-about/pierre-emerick-aubameyang)'s sale are ongoing. football.london understands that Chelsea are confident of agreeing to a total package of The report states that the Blues have made enquiries about a handful of defenders in case a fee can not be agreed with Brendan Rodgers' side. Talk of a move to west London cooled, but the [Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chelsea-confident-of-landing-evertons-anthony-gordon-this-week-gmpgr3np2) have now said that the Blues have reignited interest and are currently working on a deal to sign Leao. It's said that Chalobah, who sees his current deal at the club expire in 2026, has concerns over his game time in west London amid fears that signing Fofana will block his pathway. With a potential move to west London on the cards, supporters have pleaded that the striker doesn't leave. Barcelona fans have pleaded with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at the Camp Nou ahead of a potential move to Chelsea. Chelsea have reportedly reignited a move for Rafael Leao as Thomas Tuchel looks to sign a forward before the summer transfer window slams shut. Any new signings will have to be registered by Friday mid-day to be able to play at the weekend. Thomas Tuchel's men were on the end of a 3-0 thrashing away at Leeds United, with a Kalidou Koulibaly red card adding insult to injury in the last five minutes.

Chelsea have been “encouraged” in their attempts to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan, according to Nick Purewal of the Press Assosciation.

After helping Milan win the league last year, Leao has attracted a lot of attention from across Europe. [#ChelseaFC]understood to have been encouraged towards a second set of talks on a deal for Rafael Leao. Purewal doesn’t seem convinced that a deal is likely, however.

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is a player that is very much on Chelsea's wish list but they have not yet opened talks, a report claims.

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is a player that is very much on Chelsea’s wish list but they have not yet opened talks, a report claims. [Daniele Longo](https://twitter.com/86_longo/status/1561788671694626816) of Calciomercato.com, Leao has ‘been very much liked by Chelsea for some time’ as the Blues view the Portuguese international as a forward potentially worth investing in for the future.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Portuguese international this summer, following the departures of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku. Callum ...

"We can win with this team in Leeds, everything was going well, and we had goalscoring opportunities. We need to wait. We were not forced to lose track. Speaking after Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Leeds United, the German hinted at further reinforcing his squad this summer. However, there is an obstacle over the move as the Blues are being asked to structure the transfer in such a manner that Rafael Leao is relinquished of a substantial CAS-imposed fine he owes to former club Sporting. [bid of £45 million was rejected](https://www.sportbible.com/absolute-chelsea/everton-reject-anthony-gordon-chelsea-transfer-bid-20220816) by the Toffees as Chelsae up their attempts to bring in attackers.

Chelsea are hopeful of signing Everton winger Anthony Gordon this week and are also in talks with AC Milan for Rafael Leao, according to reports.

If you can join those two up and make the right decision, I will always consider the football one the most important because that is what my job will be judged on. [check our sport page](https://metro.co.uk/sport/). [closing in on a deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona](https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/22/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-makes-u-turn-over-chelsea-transfer-17226695/). Anthony Gordon is a fantastic player for us and that is why my answer is what it is.’ [Chelsea](https://metro.co.uk/tag/chelsea/?ico=auto_link_sport_P1_LNK1) are hopeful of signing [Everton](https://metro.co.uk/tag/everton-fc/?ico=auto_link_sport_P1_LNK2) winger Anthony Gordon this week and are also in talks with AC Milan for Rafael Leao, according to reports. [Newcastle United](https://metro.co.uk/tag/newcastle-united-fc/?ico=auto_link_sport_P3_LNK1) are also interested in Gordon but according to The Times, Chelsea are now ‘confident’ that an agreement with Everton can be reached this week.

AC Milan's Portuguese forward Rafael Leao whose contract expires in June 2024 is wanted by some important European clubs, reportedly. The player who is.

Chelsea are also being asked to structure the transfer in such a manner that Leão is relinquished of a substantial CAS-imposed fine he owes to former club Sporting, concludes the report. Club-to-club negotiations over the weekend have included the possibility of Milan taking one or more players from Chelsea’s senior squad as part of the deal. The player who is represented by Jorge Mendes is pursued by Premier League club Chelsea, as per The Times.

Chelsea are contemplating making an offer for AC Milan's Rafael Leao this summer.The Blues are looking to refresh manager Thomas Tuchel's frontline, wit.

[Chelsea](/clubs/chelsea) are also pushing to secure [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](/players/pierre-emerick-aubameyang) from [Barcelona](/clubs/barcelona). [Chelsea](/clubs/chelsea) are contemplating making an offer for [AC Milan](/clubs/ac-milan)'s [Rafael Leao](/players/rafael-leao) this summer. [Chelsea](/clubs/chelsea) learn that he does not intend to renew with Milan.

The Blues are in the market for new attackers as Thomas Tuchel looks to fix issues that were ever-present against Leeds United.

If they scored the opening chance did what they did, and a win is possible. "I don't think it is the mentality that Edou doesn't take the right decision. It is nothing to do with mentality," Tuchel said on the mentality issue in the I think it is mentality in set pieces at the moment. After a start to the season that has garnered a total of four points so far from nine available, Chelsea's woes have been a mixture of midfield instability, attacking bluntness, defensive frailties and poor mentality, as demonstrated most recently at "I think you do, all of you, make the mistake, and I feel it that they run 11km more, and we lose 3-0.

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has already come out to make his thoughts clear on speculation surrounding Rafael Leao amid reported transfer interest from ...

[second round of talks](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/chelsea-ac-milan-anthony-gordon-24826900) for Serie A star Leao, who is at a crossroads point in his career. But the manager's stance in this situation has indicated that the cynics could be right in the end with their assessment of these transfer rumours. Leave your thoughts in the comments section! “Potentially he is a champion, for strength and ability to jump man. Alternatively, cynics reckon the 23-year-old and Jorge Mendes are using Chelsea as a negotiation tactic to manufacture a new deal. Tuchel will be hoping that the potential

Duncan Castles reported early yesterday evening that the Blues had begun to work on a deal to bring the Portuguese winger to Stamford Bridge as the transfer ...

His numbers are something that Chelsea are dreaming of, as their current attack has struggled to hit its expected heights, both last season and at the start of this campaign. Leao adds to the list of attacking players that Chelsea are targeting in the window's final week, with deals for Anthony Gordon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looking like they will be completed in the next few days. [Report: Manchester United Interested In Signing Christian Pulisic On Loan From Chelsea](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/transfer-news/report-manchester-united-interested-in-signing-christian-pulisic-on-loan-from-chelsea) [Report: Chelsea Schedule New Talks With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Agent](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/transfer-news/report-chelsea-schedule-new-talks-with-pierre-emerick-aubameyangs-agent) [Report: Leicester City's Welsey Fofana's 'Head Turned' By Chelsea](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/transfer-news/report-leicester-citys-welsey-fofanas-head-turned-by-chelsea) [Report: Chelsea Set To Increase Bid To £50 million For Everton Star Anthony Gordon](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/transfer-news/report-chelsea-set-to-increase-bid-to-50-million-for-everton-star-anthony-gordon) [Pundit Slams Anthony Taylor for Missing ‘Blatant’ Decision vs Tottenham](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/pundit-slams-anthony-taylor-for-missing-blatant-decision-vs-tottenham) [Opinion: Wilfried Zaha vs Anthony Gordon: Who Would Be A Better Signing For Chelsea?](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/fan-opinions/opinion-wilfried-zaha-anthony-gordon-who-would-be-better-signing-for-chelsea) [Report: Michy Batshuayi could be involved in Anthony Gordon to Chelsea deal](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/transfer-news/report-michy-batshuayi-could-be-involved-anthony-gordon-chelsea-deal) [Report: N'Golo Kante Could Be Out For A Month With Hamstring Injury](https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/report-ngolo-kante-could-be-out-for-a-month-with-hamstring-injury) As a result, the Italian giants aren't too keen to negotiate a move for their star player and it looks like, with so little time left in the window, that Chelsea will have to pay the release clause for the player if they are to secure his signature, which stands at £128million. The potential for a deal to be struck will be further complicated by the fact that Leao has two years left on his current deal, which is still his original contract that he signed when he joined Milan in 2019 from Lille for £19million. As of now, there has been no official offer for the winger with the Rossoneri, according to Fabrizio Romano, seeing

CHELSEA face a complication to overcome before they can complete a deal for Rafael Leao.

Carney Chukwumueka was also a target for the Italian champions before Chelsea clinched a £20m deal for the 18-year-old. Transfer reporter [Matteo Moretto](https://twitter.com/MatteMoretto/status/1561821626919952386?s=20&t=9CiYuhqUtBZ9P8xzHslqmA) suggests that the Serie A giants quoted his mammoth £126m release clause be paid in full to secure his signature, although their actual asking price is believed to be somewhere closer to £80m. Leao terminated his contract with the club in June 2018 before heading to join the French outfit at the age of 19, and he then sealed a £28m (€35m) move to Milan in 2020.

News came out last night regarding Chelsea's attempts to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao. A few sources started to speak on it, but there was one main ...

Well, he has since spoken on it, via his own And it is perhaps not the news that Chelsea fans would really like to hear, because he really does throw some shade over it happening unfortunately, largely due to the large release clause he has hanging over him and Milan’s reluctance to sell. As we know, Romano is the most reliable transfer source out there and often you know that a deal or story might not be happening until Romano speaks on it.

As for Chelsea, they continue to negotiate with Barcelona over the signing of 33-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the request of Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, ...

Erling Haaland was on the Blues’ radar before their transfer ban left them unable to rival Manchester City for his signature – a duel they may not have won anyway – and now 23-year-old Leao has plenty of admirers at Stamford Bridge. Both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid registered an interest in Leao earlier this year but both quickly walked away when the cost of getting a deal done this summer became apparent. Club director Paolo Maldini described the forward as ‘unsellable’ at the end of last season and pointed suitors to his release clause of €150m.

Chelsea have been encouraged towards a second set of discussions on a deal for AC Milan's Rafael Leao.

Chelsea's new bosses had previously been left with the distinct impression that the earliest possibility of a Leao transfer would have been next summer. New Chelsea co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have been at pains to keep their eyes open to new transfer opportunities as they arise in their first summer at the Stamford Bridge helm. But Blues chiefs are thought to have been urged to look into Leao's status again, opening the door for what could now be a closer exploration of the chances of pulling off a deal.

However, Milan have made it abundantly clear that they are not interested in ...

Available on [all audio platforms](https://podfollow.com/1618416642/view) and the [90min YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/c/90min_football). [Chelsea](https://www.90min.com/teams/chelsea), they [continue to negotiate with Barcelona](https://www.90min.com/posts/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-green-lights-chelsea-move-barcelona-bid) over the signing of 33-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the request of Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, who is looking to reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund forward. [Scott Saunders](https://twitter.com/_scottsaunders), [Graeme Bailey](https://twitter.com/GraemeBailey), [Toby Cudworth](https://twitter.com/Toby_Cudworth) and [Harry Symeou](https://twitter.com/HarrySymeou) bring you Talking Transfers, discussing Antony attempting to push through a move to Man Utd, Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang's futures at Barcelona and Arsenal's interest in Pedro Neto. [here](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/antony-to-united-aubameyang-to-chelsea-arsenal-to-move/id1618416642?i=1000576954588) to download the episode in full! [Paris Saint-Germain](https://www.90min.com/teams/psg) and [Real Madrid](https://www.90min.com/teams/real-madrid) registered an interest in Leao earlier this year but both quickly walked away when the cost of getting a deal done this summer became apparent. [Transfers](https://www.90min.com/categories/transfer)

Chelsea are reportedly conversing with AC Milan regarding Rafael Leao, although the deal has many complicated layers, including an £80 million price tag.

However, the outlay on the £80 million-rated Portuguese international will have to be significant for Chelsea to stand a chance of signing him this summer. Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Milan to understand what it may take to sign the Portuguese international. There is also the legal matter between Leao and former club Sporting CP, with reports suggesting the player owes the Portuguese outfit at least £16 million in payments. However, Chelsea’s main aim might be to bring in Gordon, and if they fail in that particular pursuit, then Leao could be targeted. Before Chelsea sign the Portuguese international, there are many complications to deal with, including his mammoth release clause, although the report claims he is valued at around £80 million. While they have shelled out considerable sums on significant signings, there could still be room for more outlay before the deadline.

The Blues are desperate for a striker after letting flop Romelu Lukaku leave on loan to Inter Milan. Advertisement. Rafael Leao helped AC Milan win Serie A ...

[Barcelona](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/19599319/barcelona-hector-bellerin-transfer-arsenal/) want around £25m for the former Arsenal striker which now seems like snip compared to Leao. [Everton winger Gordon](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/9346218/chelsea-launch-anthony-gordon-transfer-bid-60m-everton/) to around £60m. [Chelsea squad players Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/betting-tips/17659509/armando-broja-transfer-news-next-club-chelsea-everton-westham/) to form part of any deal. [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/19587460/chelsea-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-transfer-barcelona/)and Anthony Gordon. [FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS](https://www.thesun.co.uk/betting-tips/free-bets?ilc=inline) [sports daily La Gazzetta Dello Sport ](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Milan/23-08-2022/calciomercato-milan-ombra-chelsea-leao-ma-lui-milan-fanno-muro-4402010256383_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FCalciomercato%2FMilan%2F23-08-2022%2Fcalciomercato-milan-ombra-chelsea-leao-ma-lui-milan-fanno-muro-4402010256383.shtml&refresh_ce-cp)have now claimed that Milan will demand £126.1m (€150million).