AC Milan star Rafael Leao is expected to sign a new contract in Italy soon with his reasons for rejecting a move to Chelsea seemingly revealed. The frightening winger has been heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge switch for a number of transfer windows but those links will likely dissolve if he commits to a new deal at San Siro
The Portugal international's current contract expires in 2024 but according to AC Milan director Frederic Massara revealing there is a "mutual willingness" to agree an extension. Leao has been a key member of Milan's journey to the Champions League semi-finals where they will face local rivals Inter.
In the quarter-final victory over Napoli, Leao went on a scintillating run before setting up Olivier Giroud for the decisive goal in the tie. The 23-year-old has scored 13 goals this season and despite both parties wanting to seal a renewal, there are still some hurdles to overcome.
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"There is a mutual willingness to renew and it is a good foundation," Massara told Sky Italia earlier this month. There are particular complexities, but we are facing them with confidence in the hope of finding a solution by the end of the season.
"Making percentages is a bit difficult; either we do it or we don't, it's always 50-50. There have been times when we seemed closer, others a little further away. It is a solution that we want to solve. It is clear that by the end of the season we have to figure out whether there will be a possibility to extend."
Real Madrid had also expressed an interest in Leao, but his reasons for wanting to stay in Milan now look to have been revealed. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao turned down approaches from Chelsea and Madrid because he fears having an understudy role at either club and instead would prefer to stay in Milan, where he is an indisputable starter.
Following Todd Boehly's major £600million squad overhaul that has taken place in the last two transfer windows, Leao's stance could become a regular occurrence among other targets. Regardless of the appeal Chelsea may have, if a transfer target does not believe they have a place in the squad, they may choose to turn down a move.
January signings Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk have both been offered limited minutes with Benoit Badiashile strangely exiled from the starting XI and left out of the Champions League squad despite earning four consecutive clean sheets earlier this year.
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