Chelsea and Arsenal have been handed a new statement on the future of Rafael Leao at AC Milan amid links with a potential transfer. The Portugal international has impressed in recent seasons and with a contract running until only the summer of 2024, there could be the opening for an exit.
This campaign the 23-year-old has eight goals and six assists in 19 Serie A appearances, even despite the struggles of the Rossoneri to reclaim back-to-back Scudetti. It means there's little surprise when there are reports of teams interested, with plenty of hints surrounding a switch to Chelsea in particular.
With his contract dwindling, talks are said to have opened between Leao and Milan over an extended stay, though things may have changed. Reports on January transfer deadline day claimed that talks had collapsed and that an exit could be on the cards for the winger.
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However, Milan have moved quickly to try and put an end to such rumours, releasing a brief statement shutting down talk of discussions ending. It read: "Stories on negotiations collapsed with Leao are fake - also damaging image of both club and player. AC Milan keep negotiating with Leao in professional way.”
The player himself also clarified the statement with a tweet of his own, denying any such rumours that talks had broken down over a deal. A tweet of his read: "Thanks bro," in reply to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano posting the statement to share the news with others.
It remains to be seen whether there will be a solution to the impending expiry of the winger's contract with the Italian giants, however the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea could wait in the wings to see how things develop before making their move.
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