It is January 2023, and Chelsea have announced the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, in what was Todd Boehly’s second transfer window. But the Blues considered Rafael Leao before the Ukrainian.
The signing of Mudryk has not gone to plan and instead, Chelsea have been forced to lick their wounds. Even with murmurs of a return for Mudryk, who was banned for doping, it has been a disastrous move.
Costing Chelsea a total of £88.5m, the Blues are going to have to admit defeat on ever getting any kind of cash in that region for the winger. Instead, they could have signed Rafael Leao from AC Milan.
What does the future hold for Mykhailo Mudryk at Chelsea?🤔
Mykhailo Mudryk return date at Chelsea
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Gazzetta Dello Sport say that Chelsea chose to focus on landing Mudryk instead of Leao, and their careers could not have gone in more different paths. Leao has become a Milan icon, but recently, that’s changed.
Milan make Rafael Leao decision after the boos against Udinese
On the weekend, Milan suffered a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Udinese. It ended any hope of a last-minute title charge, with second or third the best Milan can hope for in the remaining Serie A season.
Leao was substituted in the second half to a chorus of boos from the home support. Despite scoring 10 goals and laying on two assists in 26 matches this season, Leao has not impressed the Milan fanbase.
AC Milan v Feyenoord - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg
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Gazzetta Dello Sport says it’s never been easier for a foreign club to sign Leao. While the Milan winger still has a release clause worth £152m in his contract, Milan could consider a sale at a bargain £50m.
Leao is due to enter the final two years of his contract at Milan, and the Serie A giants are willing to listen to offers. Other clubs like PSG, Manchester United and the best in Saudi Arabia are also being linked.
Could Chelsea reignite their interest in Rafael Leao?
There are two schools of thought here. Chelsea have been regularly linked with the 43-time Portugal international, and this summer, the Blues are expected to bring in more experienced players.
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Malo Gusto and Jeremy Doku
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
But the last thing Chelsea need is more wingers. They already have four in Leao’s Portugal teammate Pedro Neto, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho. Geovany Quenda is set to join this summer.
Despite the numbers out wide, Leao is not the only winger being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Yan Diomande has spoken about his future amid reports Chelsea are interested, and there are more.
It indicates that the London side are set to wave goodbye to one or two of their current options. Jamie Gittens is injured again after a poor first season and there is every chance that Chelsea let him leave.
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