Chelsea boss Graham Potter fails to curb Leao transfer speculation with Premier League claim

Will Ford 05 Oct 2022 11:13 AM

Chelsea failed in their bid to land Rafael Leao from AC Milan in the summer but their interest remains with Graham Potter claiming he has “the skills and talent” to excel in the Premier League.

Leao will have the chance to prove his quality on Wednesday night as his Milan side travel to Stamford Bridge in the Champions league.

Chelsea made an approach for the 23-year-old on deadline day which was rebuffed by the Serie A side.

The bid, thought to be around £70m, fell short of Milan’s asking price with the winger’s release clause set at £130m.

Paulo Maldini, Milan’s technical directo, is in talks with Leao’s representatives to extend his contract, which expires in 2024.

But Chelsea remain keen and Calciomercato claim co-owner Todd Boehly plans to meet with senior officials of the Italian side ahead of the Champions League clash.

And new manager Potter spoke of his admiration of Leao ahead of the game.

“I am really surprised in a positive way by what he has done, he makes a difference in attack with goals and assists,” Potter said. “Congratulations, he is a top player.

“Then what he will be in the future I don’t know but he is playing really well with Milan. He has the skills and the talent of being able to play well in the Premier League too.”

Even if Leao refuses to extend his contract, the Portugal international will not come cheap in January, or the summer, when the Blues look likely to secure another forward, Christopher Nkunku.

The France international has a €60m release clause at RB Leipzig which kicks in next summer and reports claim Chelsea are willing to offer more than that now to avoid a bidding war.

It’s claimed the 24-year-old has already completed a medical ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season but a contract is yet to be signed.

Potter refused to be drawn on the links with Nkunku ahead of the Milan clash and Leipzig boss Marco Rose claimed it was mere “speculation”.

Chelsea Graham Potter