Chelsea look set to be facing competition in their transfer pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao with Manchester City eyeing a move that involves a current first-team player. The Blues have held a long-term interest in the Portuguese international but could now see their transfer hijacked by City, who are willing to include Jack Grealish in the deal.
Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez have both been recent arrivals in attacking positions for Pep Guardiola's side but it seems he is still not quite satisfied with his options in the front line. Grealish only arrived in the summer of 2021 for a hefty £100milllion from Aston Villa, and although he has shown improvement this season, he has struggled to adapt to Guardiola's demands.
AC Milan are understandably not interested in selling one of their star assets with a new contract in the offing for Leao that would likely see him become the highest-paid player at the club.
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Stefano Pioli, who is the manager of AC Milan, has given his thoughts on Leao's future, making his thoughts on a departure from Italy very clear.
He told Sky Sports, via Football Italia: "I advise him to sign a new deal and stay at Milan. I see Rafa very happy here. Leao here will have the chance to improve again, he feels good at Milan with this group."
The interest in Leao from Chelsea likely stems from the lack of clarity on the respective futures of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, who, despite excellent World Cup campaigns, both still look set to see their future away from Stamford Bridge.
City have some of the best attackers in the world but Guardiola is still not perhaps satisfied and a new report suggests the departure of Grealish would be welcomed if it meant Leao plays his football at the Etihad Stadium in the coming seasons.
CMW have claimed that the defending Premier League champions want to sign Leao and are willing to include Grealish in a swap deal, despite the fact he is only in his second season at the club.
The Italian news outlet include in their report that Milan have no intention of accepting that proposal but City entering the race could mean bad news for Chelsea, who appeared to have a free run at Leao if he was to decide to not extend his stay at Milan.
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