Former Italian international Massimo Ambrosini has suggested that English Premier League giants Chelsea will have to spend more than transfer Jack Grealish to secure Rafael Leao from AC Milan.
Rafael Leao joined the Sporting CP youth academy at a very young age. The striker later graduated from Sporting’s academy and was promoted to the main team.
Leao played just one season for Sporting’s main team before joining French club Lille on a free transfer. He soon cemented his place in the starting eleven and began to showcase his talent. The Portuguese stayed for a season at Lille and then joined Serie A giants AC Milan.
In a few days, Leao established himself as one of the most important players in the Milan squad. He then helped Milan win the Serie A title in his third season with the club. He was later voted Serie A Most Valuable Player for his exceptional season with Milan.
Chelsea asked to pay more than Grealish for Leao
With his constant performances, Rafael Leao has become one of the hottest names in the transfer market. English Premier League giants Chelsea are understood to have a keen interest in the winger.
Before they tried to snatch Leao from Milan but the deal did not materialize. Leao’s contract with AC Milan will end in the summer of 2024. The contract also carries a release clause worth €150m.
AC Milan now wants to tie him to a longer contract and has already started the paperwork. Chelsea, however, are still interested in the winger and want to sign him at Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from Calciomercato, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wanted to have a meeting with AC Milan management regarding the Portuguese star’s transfer during the first week of October. However, Milan remained firm in his position and have no intention of losing their greatest asset.
And now one of their former players, Massimo Ambrosini, has asked them not to accept any amount that is less than Jack Grealish’s transfer money.
Asked if Leao deserves more than €100m, the former Italian international told Tuttosport: “I don’t like to talk about this, but if Manchester City paid €117m (£101.8m) by Jack Grealish…”
Whats Next
Leao, meanwhile, has failed to impress in AC Milan’s last two outings against Chelsea. The winger was unable to have any impact on the game as he was clearly marked out of the game by Chelsea right-back Reece James.
Looking at this former Chelsea midfielder, Joe Cole has asked Chelsea to check whether their winger meets all the requirements or not. However, Cole thinks Leao is very talented and exciting.
Now, the battle for the transfer of the Portuguese will become intense from now on.
