Report: Man City and Chelsea both keen on Leao – swap deal could be proposed

Manchester City and Chelsea are both interested in signing Rafael Leao from AC Milan and a swap deal could be proposed, a report claims.

Leao is the subject of major interest from various clubs around Europe, and Chelsea believe they can get him.

Chelsea had a bid rejected for Rafael Leao this past summer, but they are determined to try again for the Portuguese winger.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), Manchester City have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Rafael Leao although Milan will do everything they can to extend his stay at San Siro.

Leao’s contract at San Siro runs out in June 2024 and Paolo Maldini has begun negotiations with the striker’s representative Jorge Mendes.

According to the report, Leao is willing to stay at Milan but has requested a €7m-a-year salary and expects the Rossoneri to join Lille paying part of the money he owes to Sporting CP.

The Portugal star was ordered to pay circa €19m to his former club after terminating his contract unilaterally in 2018. Leao joined Lille on a free transfer and then Milan for €30m in 2019.

The Serie A giants can put a new €6.5m-a-year on the table, so the gap between offer and demand is not exactly an issue. However, it remains to be seen if the Rossoneri are open to paying part of Leao’s fine.

With this stalemate, It’s been claimed that Chelsea are certainly on alert and they are willing to offer an amount worth €120m perhaps with some counterparts included to work out an exchange deal of some sorts.

Manchester City and Chelsea may not be alone in their search though, with the World Cup around the corner Rafael Leao’s stock is due to rise, and more and more clubs will register their interest in his signature.