MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 17:13:24| >> :60:2623:2623:

Chelsea 'in talks over late Rafael Leao bid'

Chelsea 'in talks over late Rafael Leao bid'
© Reuters
Chelsea allegedly consider a late move for AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao after being informed that Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar is not for sale.

Chelsea are reportedly in talks over a late move for AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao.

The 23-year-old left Lille in 2019 to don the red and black of Stefano Pioli's team and was a key component of their Scudetto-winning side in 2021-22.

Leao contributed 11 goals and 10 assists in 34 Serie A appearances last term to clinch a winners' medal and already has a goal and assist to boast from four games this season.

The Portugal international has now totalled 28 goals and 22 assists in 119 outings for the Rossoneri since his £26.5m arrival three years ago, but his contract is due to expire in 2024.

Leao's exploits have unsurprisingly led to interest from clubs in the Premier League, with Manchester United thought to have been interested before striking an £85m deal for Antony.

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring against Bologna on October 23, 2021© Reuters

Now, The Times reports that Chelsea are still holding out hope of a deal for Leao before Thursday's transfer deadline, in spite of claims that it could take £100m to prise him away from Milan.

Thomas Tuchel has already reinforced his attack with the signing of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, while Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi have completed summer exits - the latter two on loan.

Sterling already has three Premier League goals to his name in a Chelsea shirt, but his opener in Tuesday's clash with Southampton was in vain as the Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at St Mary's.

Chelsea's seven-point haul from their opening five games leaves them eighth in the table at this early stage of the season, and the club are expected to be active in the market right up until the deadline.

Having allowed Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on loan, Chelsea have been persistently linked with a move for Barcelona attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who only left Arsenal for Camp Nou in January.

Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their first goal on February 27, 2022© Reuters

While talks with the 33-year-old's camp are thought to be ongoing, a move has been plunged into fresh doubt after he was threatened and beaten in a burglary at his home on Sunday evening.

The Gabon international revealed that he had suffered a jaw injury in a social media post on Wednesday afternoon and also admitted that he no longer "feels safe" in his Catalonia home.

"Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the messages. On Sunday night, some violent cowards broke into our home and threatened my family and my children, just to steal some stuff," Aubameyang wrote.

"They injured my jaw but I will recover in no time. The feeling that we are no longer safe in our own home is hard to understand and describe, but as a family we will overcome this and stand stronger than ever."

A shock move for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar was also allegedly considered by Chelsea, but the Ligue 1 champions are not expected to sanction the Brazilian's exit before the deadline.

Chelsea - who could also try to sign a new midfielder in the coming hours - will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host West Ham United on Saturday, which could see Wesley Fofana make his debut after his initial £69.5m move from Leicester City.

ID:493435:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5956:

Rafael Leao future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Rafael Leao

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring against Bologna on October 23, 2021
Read Next:
Chelsea 'would have to pay in excess of £100m for Rafael Leao'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!