One Chelsea target could very well be heading for the exit door at his current club this summer.
Chelsea could strengthen their attack in the next transfer window after failing to do so in January.
Chelsea wanted to sign Liam Delap when the market was open and had also been strongly linked with Alejandro Garnacho.
The Blues ended up with neither, but their interest in the duo has made it clear that they want to improve their forward line.
Photo by Rita Franca/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Rita Franca/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Jorge Mendes working on potential Rafael Leao transfer
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is another attacker who is being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Liverpool are both keen on Leao, and it looks like the two Premier League giants will get an opportunity to sign him ahead of the 2025/26 season.
According to Calciomercato, the winger’s agent Jorge Mendes has been working on a potential exit “for months”.
The outlet claims that Chelsea and Barcelona are interested in Leao, so the 25-year-old is going to have options in the next transfer window it seems.
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Enzo Maresca currently has Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk for the left wing. However, Sancho has not been consistent this season, while Mudryk is still suspended.
Sancho played well against Leicester City over the weekend, but Maresca still needs to see more from him going forward. The England international has failed to score in his last 16 games for Chelsea.
Photo by Ayush Kumar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Ayush Kumar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Rafael Leao compared to Ronaldinho
One reason why Leao is such a dangerous attacker is because he is able to take on players.
Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho was great at that. He could beat any defender with an extraordinary bit of skill, and former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves can see similarities between him and Leao.
Speaking about Leao on TNT Sports last year, Hargreaves said: “He’s Ronaldinho-vibes, sometimes, when he’s on it. I think to be world class, you’ve got to be consistent.
“Because he’s a bit flaky and a bit loose at times, he’s probably just missing that gap to world class, but the talent’s there to be world class.”
Leao’s game does also possess end product. In his best ever Serie A campaign, the Portuguese came up with 23 goal contributions in 35 appearances. All things considered, then, he could be a terrific addition to Chelsea’s attack.