AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has joked that he may turn down a move to the Premier League due to the English weather amid interest from the likes of Chelsea.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a big-money move away from San Siro and is set to become one of the most sought-after attackers ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Leao was a standout performer for the Rossoneri in their Scudetto-winning 2021-22 season and was named Serie A Player of the Year after contributing with 11 goals and 10 assists in 34 appearances.
The Portugal international has since carried over his impressive form into the current campaign, recording nine goals and 10 assists in 32 games across all competitions, including 15 goal contributions in 23 Serie A matches.
Leao's performances are understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs including Chelsea, who are known to have failed with a "verbal proposal" to lure the attacker to Stamford Bridge last year.
"Chelsea haven't sent any official bid for Leao – but they made a verbal proposal.. and we rejected, of course," sporting director Paolo Maldini told reporters via journalist Fabrizio Romano.
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"He knows that staying here is the best way to improve. We want to do great things with Rafa Leao in our project."
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest in Leao, with the former allegedly open to negotiating a swap deal involving Luis Diaz.
Leao faces an uncertain future at San Siro as he has less than 18 months remaining on his contract, and the attacker has previously suggested that he would be open to testing himself in the Premier League.
Speaking to RDP Africa earlier this year about the prospect of playing in the Premier League, Leao said: "Yes, in the future, but now I'm 100% focused on Milan. I'm at a top club and I'm under contract. I also like the city of Milan."
Leao also spoke of his admiration for Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal, adding: "I've seen a lot of games this year. I like Arsenal, I think they play very well."
However, Leao has responded to rumours of a potential switch to the Premier League by stating that he is not a fan of the English weather.
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Speaking in an interview with Kick Game, via A Bola, Leao said: "I don't like the weather there. I went shopping the first time I went to London. [In Milan I like] the Duomo (barbershop), shopping malls, nightclubs and the food."
Leao has also shared his thoughts on Serie A after three-and-a-half years with Milan, adding: "Serie A is very easy, yes it seems. Before arriving to Serie A I was in France, where the first year was difficult. They came in hard.
"But when you have ability, when you are faster, you can create and make a difference. The second year was much better and I grew a lot. I have to show the world what I can do on the pitch and off it."
Milan are said to be confident that Leao will commit his future to the club, while the player's lawyer Ted Dimvula revealed last month that he wants to stay with the Italian giants, telling Fabrizio Romano: "There are many false and misleading informations about Rafael Leao, mainly in Italian press.
"This has only one aim: too parasitize cordial and professional exchange that we have with AC Milan management regarding the extension of Rafael's contract.
"The player's priority has not changed: he wants to stay at AC Milan and continue to grow and progress in this institution and this city that he loves so much."
Leao has made a total of 147 appearances for Milan since joining the club from Lille in 2019, scoring 36 goals and providing 31 assists.
Oliver Thomas
