Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic could have left Chelsea last summer as part of a swap deal that included AC Milan star Rafael Leao moving in the opposite direction.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were in the midst of their first transfer window and submitted a proposal to Milan for Portugal international Leao. The Blues valued the 23-year-old at £87million but wished to include players in exchange to reduce the cash fee and make up the overall package.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea offered Ziyech and Pulisic to Milan, but their bid was quickly rejected as the Rossoneri were not convinced. They felt the Blues showed interest too late in the transfer window and pointed to the £130m release clause Leao had in his contract instead, which Boehly and Eghbali were not prepared to buy out.
