Chelsea to rival Barcelona in race to sign a world-class winger, Rafael Leao.
Rafael Leao: A top target in Europe
The Blues have already made signings and have plenty of options in their squad. But they’re still in race with Barcelona to sign Leao from AC Milan.
It looks like the Rossoneri are willing to let go off many first-team players in the summer. As per Gazzetta dello Sport, the club could be put on sale Tomori, Loftus-Cheek, Thiaw and Chukwueze at the end of the season.
After failing to qualify for the knock out phases of the Champions League will surely be hurting them. Feyenoord beat them 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the last 16.
They’re just five points behind Juventus as of now. Juventus are in the final spot for qualifying for the Champions League currently. Milan will have a huge task at hand to progress and get that last place for the UCL contention.
Arsenal, being another Premier League team, also made a move for the Portuguese international. They’ve been in touch with the player’s agents.
Although, just few months ago, the Blaugrana were told that Rafael was 100 percent staying at the San Siro.
However, time has changed now it seems. Since Sergio Conceicao took over the charge, things have been quite different.
Chelsea and Barca in race for Rafael Leao
As per the Gazzetta report, both the Blues and Barca have had a interest in the 25-year-old winger. It is expected that he will be available in the transfer market in summer. If that’s the case, then both the clubs will try to get his signature. They must offer a bid that Milan can’t refuse.
Barcelona still have Lamine Yamal and Raphina, they won’t be too desperate to sign a new winger. While Chelsea will look to get him in the summer surely. Amid injuries and poor form, they’ll look to add another big names to their group.
However, if Hansi Flick decides to add new signings to make a strong team to win every major trophy, they might sign him. And if Leao’s within their budget, then the west London side will have a fierce battle to land him.
Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s form this campaign
The Blues head coach says that his struggling team will fight for the top four spot. They’re aiming for the Champions League.
The Italian strategist has clearly said that their goal for this campaign is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They’re currently sixth in the Premier League table. And now ending the season on fifth will likely be enough to book their place in the Europe’s biggest competition.
Maresca speaking ahead of their game against Aston Villa on Saturday, said: “We spent almost all of our season in the top four. Now we have just 13 games to go. The target for us is to finish in the top four, to finish in the best way.
“We are going to try to do our best to achieve that, knowing that the difficult moment we have now is probably because of the injury situation. We have five or six players, significant players, that are out.ย Arsenalย have injuries. (Manchester) City have injuries. We are going to try our best to win games, even with the amount of injuries we have.
“I’m not here to survive, I’m here to win games. I’m here to bring this club to fight for titles. The problem is, when you win games, you look humble, and when you don’t win games, you look like you lack ambition. Since day one, when I joined this club, my intention was to win games, win titles and to bring this club where this club deserves to be. I’ve said this since day one.”
Author’s Opinion
Rafeal Leao is one of the most incredible talents in Europe. His dribbling skills and speed has been loved by many. And of course, not to forget the smile on his face everytime he is on the ball.
Chelsea and Barcelona will be getting a huge boost if any one of them manages to land him in the summer.
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