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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea turn to Serge Gnabry and Rafael Leao after missing out on Raphinha

Chelsea have sounded out both Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry and AC Milan's Rafael Leao as alternatives to Leeds forward Raphinha - who now looks set to join Barcelona.

The pair are among a wide range of potential targets as Chelsea reassess their next move in attack after Raphinha rejected a £55million approach.

Both Gnabry and Leao are in contract talks with their clubs and fears remain that their agents could be leveraging the Blues' desire to add a forward.

Milan do not want to sell Leao and are focused on tying him down to a new contract, which would see his £127m release clause be increased, while the potential involvement of several agents would make any deal complicated.

Chelsea, who are working hard at identifying new attacking targets by assessing market contacts, have been offered both Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar but offers for either are not currently expected.

Interest in Leao comes amid ongoing talks with Milan over a loan move for Hakim Ziyech, possibly with an option to buy included. The Morocco international is currently with the squad in Los Angeles on the pre-season tour despite the ongoing negotiations.

Homegrown striker Armando Broja, who has been left behind, is subject to intense transfer interest from Everton and West Ham over a summer move.

Nathan Ake could fellow Raheem Sterling to Chelsea (Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

The other priority is to add a defender and Nathan Ake is Thomas Tuchel’s desired target. Paris Saint-Germain have been monitoring the Manchester City defender’s situation and could rival any Chelsea bid should their attempts to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan fail.

Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde remains a target, while the club are also monitoring Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta has told the club he wishes to join Barcelona, having already agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants, and Marcos Alonso could follow him. The two Spain internationals are in the final year of their contracts at Stamford Bridge.

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