Chelsea have been warned that Manchester City could hijack a deal to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan next summer.
The Blues were keen on adding attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window and were able to secure deals for Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Attack has been an area of concern for Chelsea this season after the departure of out-of-form striker Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz also struggling to perform.
A new winger is set to be on the agenda once again next summer for Todd Boehly as he now looks to back new manager Graham Potter, along with agreeing to appoint Christoph Freund as the club's new director of football, football.london understands. There is a focus on signing players that have a wealth of experience at a young age with room to develop into world-class talents, and Leao matches that profile.
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According to Calcio Mercato Leao is 'very much liked by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City', despite the array of attacking talent at the club. This could see the reigning Premier League champions look to hijack Chelsea's move for the Portuguese forward who has impressed since signing for AC Milan.
The 23-year-old has already registered nine goal contributions in just eight appearances in all competitions so far this season and will not be short of suitors next summer. Milan may struggle to hold onto Leao with Chelsea prepared to offer a significantly better wage packet that could lure the Portuguese winger away from San Siro.
City already having Erling Haaland, who has begun his Premier League career with 11 goals in seven games, as well as Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez all at Pep Guardiola's disposal. However, as shown with the sales of Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal and Sterling to Chelsea, City may look to move on either Bernardo Silva or Riyad Mahrez to make room for Leao as Guardiola tends to freshen up his squad regularly.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that even though City don’t need another forward, they may sign Leao in order to prevent their league rivals from improving their squad with his addition. Robinson said: “You would not say that they need another forward, they are probably looking at signing him just so others do not have him.
"City are amassing a squad with two top-quality players in every position. They do not need any additions when you look at their squad, but we know that Pep Guardiola likes to rotate. To have a player like Leao at your disposal would be great. If the board are going to let you sign him, why wouldn’t you?"
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