Chelsea’s impending deal for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku is being seen as an ‘important signal’ by AC Milan that they will not continue to pursue Rafael Leao.
That’s according to Sport Mediaset, who say the deal for the Frenchman could end up helping Milan keep hold of Leao long term.
They explain how Nkunku is set to join Chelsea in the summer, with numerous reports making it clear that the deal is done and simply has to be confirmed by the two clubs.
That deal, which will require a significant investment from the Blues and Milan’s hope is that it will subsequently end all interest in Leao.
The belief is that Nkunku is too similar to a player to Leao for Chelsea to want both while it would be ‘difficult’ for the Premier League side to invest the €100-120m need to sign the Portuguese star after their investment in Nkunku.
The fact they have decided to ‘turn decisively’ towards the Frenchman is seen as an ‘even more important sign’ that their pursuit of Leao may now be at an end.
They had been chasing him since the summer and have continued to be linked with a move but having now added Nkunku to their forward line, Leao is no longer needed, and they could ‘give up’ on him altogether.
