Milan are working to extend Rafal Leao’s contract, but according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Rossoneri would consider Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech if the Portuguese star doesn’t commit his future to the club.
Both players are tipped to leave Stamford Bridge either in January or at the end of the season, eager to get more playing time.
According to Gazzetta, Pulisic has admirers at Milanello and would be an option to replace Leao if the Portuguese doesn’t sign a contract extension with the Serie A giants by the end of the season.
Ziyech had already been linked with a move to San Siro in the summer, but the Rossoneri didn’t sign a new right winger after making Junior Messias’ move permanent.
Gazzetta explains how the Rossoneri could have enough money to buy both players and bring even more reinforcements by selling Rafael Leao.
Chelsea are said to be leading the race for the Milan star despite being unwilling to match his €150m release clause. Manchester City are also closely monitoring the 23-year-old according to the latest reports in Italy.
Leao’s current deal at San Siro runs out in June 2024 and the Rossoneri have already opened talks with his entourage over a new contract.
The latest reports in Italy suggest Milan are ready to offer Leao more than €6m plus add-ons, nearing his demands of €7m per season.
There is still a considerable obstacle to Leao’s extension with Milan as the player expects the Rossoneri and his ex-club Lille to pay the €19m he owes to Sporting CP for terminating his contract unilaterally in 2018, before his free transfer to France.
Paolo Maldini has suggested that the club would not match the player’s demands although reports in Portugal claim the Rossoneri director is ready to open talks with Sporting CP to discuss the matter.
It is unlikely to see Leao join Chelsea or Manchester City in January, but Milan would be forced to sell in the summer if they fail to strike a deal with their star striker.
Surely Pulisic and Ziyech are on big money at Chelsea so they would want at least what Leao is asking for now. Saying that I like Pulisic, he could do well in Italy.