AC Milan chief Paolo Maldini has admitted that Chelsea tried to sign Rafael Leao in the summer with the Italians quick to turn down the advances from the west London heavyweights.
The 23-year-old Portuguese winger Leao was a star turn for Milan last season during their Serie A-winning campaign and Chelsea have been credited with a strong interest in moving in for his services.
Speculation as of late has suggested that the San Siro camp have struggled in their drawn-out talks to tie down Leao to extended terms which was echoed by club icon Maldini in his recent interview to Sport Mediaset.
“The renewal is an issue that we faced many months ago. Rafa knows that to become stronger than now the solution is to stay with us.
“Chelsea’s officially written offer did not arrive but on an informal level it did. Of course, it was rejected.”
The Blues had been on the search for late-window reinforcements to freshen the frontline for the new season despite splashing the cash on Raheem Sterling who made the move to the Bridge from Manchester City earlier in the summer window.
Chelsea were able to bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona with the former Arsenal talisman’s arrival expected to provide the firepower in the final third of the pitch.
