AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has played down speculation linking Raphael Leao with a move away from San Siro as Chelsea keep close tabs on him.
Leao has emerged into one of the top players in the Serie A with his stellar run of displays for Milan during their title-winning campaign last term in which the 23-year-old netted 11 times in 34 league outings.
The current season has seen the Portugal international replicate his lethal form in the final third of the pitch with six goals and four assists to his name in 14 games to attract interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Chelsea have been considered as one of the suitors for the San Siro talent with the new Blues head coach Graham Potter on the hunt for reinforcements to freshen his misfiring front line in the coming transfer windows.
Potter, however, could be in for a setback in his pursuit of Leao with the Milan boss Pioli claiming ( via The Mirror) that the club are in talks with the player and his camp over a new deal and convince him to commit his future with the Serie A champions.
“He’s really happy with us, it’s clear.
“[Paolo] Maldini & Rafa’s camp are in negotiations. We’re waiting for good news. He’s happy with Milan, I want him to stay.”
