Chelsea ‘would need to pay £126.1 million to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan’

Chelsea have been told that they will have to pay a staggering £126.1million if they are to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao before the closure of the transfer window.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the attacker, but a deal has yet to materialise, with the Serie A side reluctant to let Leao leave.

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Milan will not sell Leao for less than £126.1million (€150million) due to clauses from his former clubs.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly may have to focus on alternative attacking targets to Leao

Leao still owes £13.85m (€16.5m) to Sporting Lisbon following the unilateral termination of his contract.

In addition, Lille will receive 15 per cent of any future sale involving Leao, which was agreed as part of the deal that saw him join Milan in 2019.

Therefore, Chelsea have been informed that any deal for Leao, who can play as a striker or a winger, is set to be a very expensive one.

Leao’s release clause of £126.1million (€150million) expired in July but Chelsea would still have to pay a similar fee in order to sign him.

Chelsea are likely to focus on other attacking options such as Everton’s Anthony Gordon

Last season Leao scored eleven goals in 34 league games as he helped Milan to win the Serie A title.

However, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly and manager Thomas Tuchel may now have to focus on other attacking targets, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon.

The deal for Aubameyang has hit a stumbling block, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming that Barcelona want €30m (£25.3m) for the forward, which is a figure that Chelsea are currently unwilling to meet.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have increased their offer for Everton winger Gordon to £50m plus £10m in add-ons.

Everton are eager for Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja to join them on loan as part of the deal.