AC Milan star Rafael Leao has provided an update on his future amid transfer interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Leao has been one of AC Milan’s most important players over the past four seasons, scoring 34 goals across 135 games for the Italian giants.
The 23-year-old played a key role in helping AC Milan win the title last term and was crowned Serie A Most Valuable Player and Serie A Footballer of the Year.
Leao’s contract is due to expire in 2024 with Premier League duo Chelsea and United keen to bring him to England after the World Cup when the transfer window reopens in January but AC Milan are demanding at least £87m.
Blues boss Graham Potter has made no secret of his interest in Portugal international Leao, who is currently out in Qatar with Fernando Santos’ side.
‘You can see his quality and what he brings,’ Potter said last month. ‘He’s part of a strong team, a strong club and a strong set-up, and we respect that.’
However, Chelsea and United suffered a recent blow in their race to sign Leao with the player entering talks over a new AC Milan contract.
Leao has now provided an update on those talks as he said: ‘I will speak to AC Milan [again] about my contract situation once the World Cup is over.
‘We had a positive meeting with [technical director] Paolo Maldini before the World Cup, it was a good one – we’ll enter into details after the break.’
AC Milan sporting director Frederic Massara warned Chelsea and United last month: ‘We’re confident to reach an agreement with Rafael Leao and extend his contract.
‘We’ll try to find a solution to proceed with Rafa for long time.’
Speaking about Chelsea’s attempt to sign Leao in the summer, AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini said: ‘Rafa knows that to become stronger than now the solution is to stay with us.
‘Chelsea’s officially written offer did not arrive but on an informal level it did. Of course, it was rejected.’
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