Chelsea have reportedly identified AC Milan forward Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for forward Hakim Ziyech ahead of the upcoming season.
Leao, who has two years left on his current deal at the San Siro, shot to fame with his impressive performances on the left flank last term. During the 2021-22 season, he registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 42 matches across all competitions for AC Milan.
According to Calciomercato, the Blues are interested in signing the 23-year-old winger as a replacement for Ziyech. The report also added that a player plus cash deal is an option since Ziyech is in talks with the Serie A champions over a potential summer move.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier that AC Milan are determined to retain Leao in the ongoing transfer window. The Serie A giants are open to raising Leao's salary from €1.5 million to €6 million per year and lowering his release clause from €150 million to €100 million.
Leao, who rose through the ranks of Primeira Liga outfit Sporting CP during his early career, joined AC Milan from Lille for €23 million in the summer of 2019. Overall, he has featured in 115 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 27 goals and 21 assists in the process.
So far, the Blues have completed two signings in the ongoing window. The London outfit signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City and Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
Glen Johnson delivers verdict on two Chelsea stars
Former Chelsea and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson has offered his two cents on the futures of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to BettingOdds.com, Johnson said:
"He [Hudson-Odoi] has spells where he looks unplayable and then he has days where it looks like he shouldn't be playing in the Premier League. If he gets his head straight, then I think he has got a lot to offer but I think his days at Chelsea are over, to be honest."
"He's still young but for me, he has got a lot to learn. He needs to play football every week. Maybe Newcastle will get the best out of him."
Speaking about Ziyech's role at Chelsea, Johnson said:
"I do believe he [Ziyech] has been given a proper chance at Chelsea and he's a proper player as well. When he switches it on, then he's unplayable, but playing well in one in three games or one in five games isn't enough for a team that has aspirations of winning the Premier League."
Paul Merson predicts the top 4 of the Premier League next season! Click here
cjharlin
0
just to let every chelsea fan know, Leao 100% is staying in Milan atleast until the winter in the worst case we somehow aren’t able to secure the signature. It makes no sense for him to leave rn in any form
GILBERTKWABE
2
Chelsea should not sale Hakim that's a nice collaboration with sterling
jstein10
0
you're right brotherly that's why Barcelona fans are claiming they're hacking players from Chelsea, tell me if it's abramovich's era can Barca try this stupidity with their bankruptcy club?
barca only hijack rapfinna and that was because He wanted to go to barca no because of managing fund we bad better offer than barca so even if it was abramovic the same Will happen
Bikaekmz
0
No
Voabcdls
1
Chelsea FC out: Rudiger - CB/LCB Lukaku - CF Christensen- CB/RCB In: Sterling - LMF/RMF/LWF/RWF/SS Koulibaly - CB/LCB/RCB Possible Out: Azpi - CB/RB/LB/RCB Alonso - LB/LMF Ziyech - RWF/RMF/AMF Possible In: Kounde - CB/RCB Kimpembe - CB/LCB Leao - RWF/SS/RMF Basically, we're only doing replacements (whether these are better replacements or not isn't the point of discussion now) but we need a proper scoring CF.
punbdmprsz
0
not favoured a player worth 100mln n over buy players less than €80mln who cannot be arrogant as lukaku showed at Chelsea team its bullshit such expensive players who become flop
helkath
1
Soon, another team will announce him. Chelsea has been dealt a big blow in the market this season
pebbknpst
1
Chelsea are trying to sign but I think this new owner is managing he's fund's 🤑
you're right brotherly that's why Barcelona fans are claiming they're hacking players from Chelsea, tell me if it's abramovich's era can Barca try this stupidity with their bankruptcy club?
StephenHassen
1
G.Johnson is absolutely spot on...I feel the same bowt those two
Etilomi0147
2
Here we go🔥
wepacknz
0
please don't sell broja and Hakim
Key-boy
0
I prefer Nkunku
mekacdosu
2
Chelsea are trying to sign but I think this new owner is managing he's fund's 🤑
mosesvincent96
1
hakim is a beast . I still don't get why chelsea are trying to get rid of him ? it's just crazy to me
Who is a beast🙄…someone that can’t even dribble himself or someone that is always crossing to the fans😂😂😂
Mawsor09
0
[image]
hater
Dynamics222
0
Leave hakim
Mivel7
1
youtubebarcafamilytv
1
hakim is a beast . I still don't get why chelsea are trying to get rid of him ? it's just crazy to me
Kuhbcekntz
1
Pls stop this joke Tuchel, we don't need any player with such huge amount, in fact if anything above £55m is not welcome.
as a chelsea supporter i dont suggest url spend 100mil on leao for him to be a lukaku replica
BFanzy
2
Ronaldo to Chelsea board be like 👇👇🤣🤣
Jaslight
1
na you wan pay lol
no, but all this big money deal wey we do do no de pay us.
Kingz7
1
Pls stop this joke Tuchel, we don't need any player with such huge amount, in fact if anything above £55m is not welcome.
na you wan pay lol
Nobaiklnot
0
Chelsea sign players stop giving rumors without doing it
Nobaiklnot
1
Pls stop this joke Tuchel, we don't need any player with such huge amount, in fact if anything above £55m is not welcome.
Chelsea has the money so they can sign any player as far as Chelsea can wife trophy
EddyKemboi
0
how could Chelsea replace a good player?
ijelejoe
0
Pls stop this joke Tuchel, we don't need any player with such huge amount, in fact if anything above £55m is not welcome.
And you want Chelsea to win EPL again
Jaslight
0
Pls stop this joke Tuchel, we don't need any player with such huge amount, in fact if anything above £55m is not welcome.
ijelejoe
3
good move the same thing should happen to west ham about Broga and Rice