Peter Crouch and Jermaine Jenas have explained why Rafael Leao has attracted the attention of Chelsea. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer but a move failed to materialise.
Leao, who sees his deal at the San Siro expire in less than 18 months, has been closely watched by the Blues since joining the Italian giants in 2019, football.london understands. It's said that talks between Milan and the Portugal international's entourage over a new contract have been ongoing for a while but an agreement is yet to be reached.
After welcoming Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke to west London last month, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will reignite interest in Leao. Graham Potter has a wealth of attacking options to choose from now — not to mention the potential arrival of Christopher Nkunku in the summer.
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Nevertheless, Leao continues to present himself as an attractive target for the Blues. Speaking on BT Sport, Jenas described the forward as somebody who 'strikes fear into a lot of defenders'.
"He seems to have everything at the moment, doesn't he?" said the former Tottenham midfielder. "At such a young age he strikes fear into a lot of defenders, he's getting himself enough goals and assists and I think doing it at a club like Milan at that age tells you a lot about the player.
"He had a little bit of something with his contract situation that I thought he handled really well during the January transfer window that I thought tells you a little bit about his character as well, he’s not going to be forced down a road. Milan will hope that he sticks around for a lot longer, and at that age to be a at a club like Milan doing what he’s doing, he’d be smart to as well.
"We'll see what the future holds, but tonight he's a massive, massive threat for a Spurs side that struggles to keep a clean sheet."
Singing from the same hymn sheet, Crouch named Leao as Milan's 'biggest threat'. The former Liverpool and Spurs striker said: "He’s something special without a doubt, he’s their biggest threat.
"Top scorer last year along with Giroud, this year plenty of pace, loads of ability, and he’s exciting. He’s one of those players that gets on the ball and gets you off your seat, and plenty of clubs touted him because of the contract situation at the moment."
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