Fikayo Tomori has already told Todd Boehly why Chelsea must sign Rafael Leao as the Blues launch a Raphinha transfer contingency plan. The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Leeds United talisman this summer but, with 25-year-old opting for Barcelona instead, Thomas Tuchel is keen to sign an alternative.
football.london understand that the west Londoners had a £55million fee — £10million of which is payable via add-ons — agreed with Jesse Marsch's side for the Brazil international. However, the Spanish giants are said to be Raphinha's preferred destination and Xavi is hopeful of completing a deal.
Meanwhile, football.london also understand that Chelsea are open to offloading Hakim Ziyech should they receive the right offer. While Boehly's definition of a suitable offer for the 29-year-old remains to be seen, it's believed that AC Milan have tabled a €25million (£21.1m) offer, due over two-years.
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With the Blues seemingly set to miss out on the Brazil international and Ziyech facing an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel wants to sign at least one new forward. According to The Telegraph, Rafael Leao has emerged as an option following an incredibly impressive breakthrough campaign at AC Milan last season.
The 23-year-old, who is valued at around £59million by CIES Football Observatory, featured 34 times for Stefano Pioli's side in the Serie A last season, directly contributing to 21 goals. Leao, who sees his contract at the San Siro expire in June 2024, has reportedly courted the interest of Chelsea.
And, in an interview with The Athletic last month, Tomori has already explained what all the fuss is about. The Cobham graduate said: "To be fair, in training you wouldn’t know he’s so electric when it comes to a match day because in training he likes to mess about.
"He does a lot of step-overs, he beats you once and he wants to come back at you again. But when it comes to the game, he’s just off (on one). He’s massive for the team.
"Ever since I arrived I told him: ‘You don’t know how good you are’. Because you can see he has everything. He’s fast, he’s strong, he can dribble, he can head the ball, he’s tall. He’s got EVERYTHING. He’s definitely been our difference maker and is deservedly player of the season for Serie A"
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