Chelsea transfer target Rafael Leao has been given some career advice by none other than former Ballon d'Or winner Kaka. The AC Milan forward has been linked with a move away from Serie A since the summer due to his contract situation and has the eyes of the world on him.
Leao, 23, is one of the most electric forwards across Europe and has attracted the attention of some of the top clubs including the Blues. With a deal running until 2024 and progress with Milan so far being slow there is a chance he leaves in the summer.
Todd Boehly made a late attempt to sign him last year but was met with his £127million release clause as a stumbling block. In the summer there will be just a year left on his deal though, and the power pendulum slowly shifting towards buying clubs.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea squad decision, James, Chilwell, Fofana
Leao himself has taken a public stance when it comes to his contract, addressing rumours recently with a statement from the clubs, saying: "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."
An agreement hasn't yet been reached though and Kaka thinks that a step forward would be good for him. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: "[Leao] is a fantastic player, I like him so much. If he sees Italian football as a transitory moment in his career, then he should leave, now it’s the right moment.
"I think he should stay because I don’t see Italian football as transitory and sometimes leaving Milan is not a good idea." Leao has 35 goal contributions in Italy in the past one and a half seasons and is making a name for himself in Europe too, impressing at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the Champions League group stage.
"I think Leao must consider all options," Kaka added. "Milan are giving him much. I met Galliani in Qatar during the World Cup and he said that Serie A has become a step in the players' careers.
"I struggle to see it this way. Serie A remains a very challenging league for strikers, I don’t think it’s a minor league, even if there’s a different economic power. I learned so much in Italy and I became the player fans remember."
The lure of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea is a strong one though, and with Italian clubs posing as less of a genuine contender in European competitions at the moment it will be intriguing to see how the next chapter plays out. Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Joao Felix all joined Chelsea in January, crowding their forward line.
Christopher Nkunku will arrive in the summer and the priority appears to be moving on underperforming and overpaid players rather than adding to the numbers. Currently Graham Potter could field an entire XI of forwards, making it a struggle to see Leao coming in before several stars depart first.
READ NEXT:
Every word Graham Potter said on Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea squad decision, James, Chilwell, Fofana
Graham Potter makes Hakim Ziyech decision as Chelsea receive triple injury boost ahead of Fulham
Graham Potter waits for crucial Enzo Fernandez confirmation ahead of Chelsea vs Fulham
Enzo Fernandez starts, Kante dilemma: Best Chelsea XI after dream £323m January transfer window
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
