Transfer Centre

Chelsea dealt Rafael Leao transfer blow by attacker's father

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 15 November 2022

Rafael Leao's father hints that the AC Milan attacker could turn down a potential move to Chelsea and commit his future to San Siro.

Rafael Leao's father has hinted that the AC Milan attacker could turn down a potential move to Chelsea and commit his future to San Siro.

The 23-year-old has excelled for the Rossoneri over the last 18 months and he was named Serie A Player of the Year last season after scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists for the Scudetto champions.

Leao has since recorded seven goals and nine assists in 20 appearances for Milan across all competitions this campaign, and a host of top European clubs are believed to have been alerted by his impressive form.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with a big-money move for the Portugal international, while the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest.

Leao, who joined Milan from Lille in 2019, faces an uncertain future at San Siro as his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024.

Rafael Leao celebrates scoring for AC Milan on August 27, 2022 © Reuters

A report last month claimed that Milan were stepping up their efforts to tie Leao down to a new long-term contract and director Daniele Massaro has told reporters that he is optimistic about their chances of keeping hold of the star attacker.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Massaro said: "We're confident to reach an agreement with Leao and extend his contract.

"We'll try to find a solution to proceed with Rafa for a long time. His father's here tonight, we'll speak during the dinner".

Milan supporters have since been given a further boost by Leao's father Antonio Leao, who claims that his son "loves being in Italy" and is in talks with the Serie A champions over a new deal.

"We are working on it," he told Record, via SempreMilan. "Until the deadline of 2024 we will take care of everything, without necessarily Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid.

"He loves being in Italy. He has a predilection for Italians, the one the Portuguese do not have for him.

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their third goal on September 3, 2022 © Reuters

"He won the award for best player of the last Serie A not because he was beautiful, but simply... because he is the best."

Milan sporting director Paulo Maldini revealed last month that the Italian giants rejected a "verbal proposal" from Chelsea over the summer.

"Chelsea haven't sent any official bid for Leao – but they made a verbal proposal... and we rejected, of course," Maldini told reporters via journalist Fabrizio Romano.

"He knows that staying here is the best way to improve. We want to do great things with Rafa Leao in our project."

Leao, who is allegedly valued at around £88m by Milan, is currently away on international duty with Portugal ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.