Manchester City considering player-plus-cash offer for Rafael Leao?

Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a player-plus-cash deal for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

The Portugal international was subject to a bid from Chelsea late in the summer transfer window after scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists in 42 appearances last term.

Milan were believed to have rejected Chelsea's €80m (£69m) offer as they indicated that they were not willing to sell the 23-year-old, whose contract expires in 2024.

However, according to Manchester Evening News, Man City are interested in signing Leao with the Premier League champions considering whether to use makeweights in a potential bid.

The report suggests a player-plus-cash offer could tempt Milan to sell with negotiations over a new contract proving to be difficult.

While the Serie A club are prepared to offer Leao a €6m (£5.4m) per year contract, the player is holding out for a deal worth €7m (£6.3m)

Although his future remains uncertain, Leao has begun the 2022-23 campaign in fine form, racking up three goals and six assists in eight games.