According to a report by The Athletic, Chelsea offered two transfer flops to AC Milan in exchange for Rafael Leao last summer.
The report suggests that Chelsea’s transfer business has been erratic and uncoordinated this season, leading to a bloated squad and little room to maneuver in the upcoming transfer window. Last summer, the club reportedly proposed a swap deal with AC Milan, offering two underperforming players in exchange for Leao. However, the proposal was not accepted, and Chelsea missed out on the opportunity to sign the Portuguese forward. Despite their struggles this season, Chelsea will be looking to make some smart moves in the upcoming transfer window as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.
Pulisic and Ziyech for Leao
According to The Athletic, Chelsea offered Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech in a swap deal for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao last summer, but the proposal was rejected. Chelsea believed that the two players were worth a combined €100m, but AC Milan reportedly valued Leao at over €150m and were confident that he would eventually sign a new deal with the club. Despite interest from Chelsea and other clubs, Leao’s new contract reportedly includes a release clause of €175m, which is likely to deter potential suitors, including Chelsea, who may need to be mindful of Financial Fair Play regulations following their significant spending in the current season.