Chelsea are ‘ready to return’ with another bid to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao ‘in the coming months’.
That’s according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who has provided background on their attempts to sign the Portuguese star this summer.
Numerous reports linked Chelsea with a big money for Leao over the last transfer window, with them needing to replace both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, who left for Inter Milan and RB Leipzig respectively.
They ultimately didn’t sign anyone, instead electing to work with what they have and give Armando Broja his chance to shine after returning from a loan spell at Southampton.
There was, though, an effort for Leao late in the window, with AC Milan chief Paolo Maldini recently revealing that they had turned down a bid from the Blues for their star man.
“In a market where all clubs have to reckon with costs and budgets to keep in order, AC Milan have sent back a €70-80m offer presented by Chelsea,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb.
“In the last days of the market, in fact, the English club tried to make the Rossoneri ‘waver’ by putting a very rich offer on the table: a proposal, however, declined by Maldini and Massara.
“The latter will now, however, have to try to solve the knot linked to the contract, with the 1999-born striker due to expire in 2024 and with whom there is still no economic agreement for renewal.
“Chelsea, and not only Chelsea, (are) an interested spectator and ready to return to the charge in the coming months.”
