Chelsea ‘fail in Rafael Leao transfer bid after offering £69m plus players’ as AC Milan demand £130m release clause fee

CHELSEA have reportedly failed in their pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao.

The 23-year-old winger is considered one of the hottest talents in Serie A after helping the Rossoneri to the title last season.

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His stunning form in 2021-22, which saw him score 14 goals and provide 12 assists in 42 games, led to interest from Chelsea.

The Blues offered £69million for his services in recent talks with the Italian club, according to Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles.

The Serie A side are also claimed to have rejected Chelsea’s proposal to include players in exchange for Leao.

AC technical director Paulo Maldini is believed to have blocked the club from selling their prized asset.

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The legendary Italian defender is holding out for Leao’s £130m release clause.

Talks between the two clubs are thought to have been ongoing.

But the Blues have failed in their latest bid for the winger, and a move before tonight’s 11pm deadline now looks unlikely.

New owner Todd Boehly has already splashed out over £250m on Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka, Gabriel Slonina and Marc Cucurella.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also set to join from Barcelona before tonight’s 11pm deadline for another £12m, with Marcos Alonso set to go the other way.

Elsewhere Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has gone on strike in a bid to push through a £43m move to Stamford Bridge.

So while the Blues are set to be active in the transfer market right up until the deadline, Boehly appears to have failed in his pursuit of Leao.