AC Milan will reportedly open contract discussions with Rafael Leao 'in the coming days', with the Italian giants determined to secure the attacker's long-term future.
The 23-year-old was in strong form for Milan during the 2021-22 campaign, making 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and contributing 12 assists in the process.
Leao has also impressed for the Italian champions this term, scoring four goals and registering seven assists in 12 appearances, including four goals and four assists in Serie A.
Chelsea are believed to have made an attempt to sign the Portugal international in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and the Blues could allegedly reignite their interest at the start of 2023.
Leao's current deal is due to expire in June 2024, but Milan director Paolo Maldini said earlier this week that the club were determined to secure his long-term future.
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"It's true that clubs can chat, but we have not had any approaches after the transfer window closed. Now Rafa has to concentrate on this season and he's doing it very well," Maldini told Mediaset.
"We'd like to have the contract sorted before the World Cup, in fact we had hoped to get it done six months ago, but we need the right conditions. Our idea is to get it done before November 12, then we'll see what happens."
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are preparing to sit down with Leao's representatives 'in the coming days', as there are a number of complex issues to discuss.
Leao's salary demands are believed to be causing a problem at this moment in time, with the attacker aware of the growing interest in his services.
As well as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be showing a strong interest in the Portuguese, who also has three Champions League assists to his name this term.
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Leao moved to Milan from Lille in August 2019, and he has represented the Serie A giants on 127 occasions in all competitions, scoring 31 goals and contributing 28 assists in the process.
There is believed to be a release clause of €150m (£130m) inserted into the attacker's current deal, with Chelsea's offer over the summer said to be in the region of €80m (£70.2m).
Manchester City have also recently been credited with an interest in Leao, with the English club's head coach Pep Guardiola said to be a huge admirer of the left-sided attacker.
The Portuguese has just faced Chelsea on two occasions in the Champions League, playing 73 minutes of Milan's 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge and 80 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to the Blues at San Siro.
Matt Law
