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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Chelsea namechecked alongside two rivals by Rafael Leao’s father in transfer update

The father of Rafael Leao has provided an update on the AC Milan striker’s transfer future - with a hint that he may turn down Chelsea.

Milan are busy trying to renew the Portuguese player’s contract past its current June 2024 expiry, which Antonio Leao has discussed openly in reference to the Blues and two possible rivals for a deal touted to cost £88million.

“We are working on it,” he told Record, via SempreMilan.

“Until the deadline of 2024 we will take care of everything, without necessarily Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid.

“He loves being in Italy. He has a predilection for Italians, the one the Portuguese do not have for him. He won the award for best player of the last Serie A not because he was beautiful, but simply… because he is the best.”

Chelsea boss Graham Potter talked up Leao’s talents before their Champions League meeting last month and the club are tipped to continue their striker search in January.

Potter said: “You can see his quality and what he brings. He’s part of a strong team, a strong club and a strong set-up, and we respect that.”

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