Chelsea are understood to have offered Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to AC Milan as part of a failed attempt to sign Rafael Leao.
Europe’s top clubs had monitored the situation of Leao, before the forward ended the speculation surrounding his future after committing to a new long-term contract at Milan last week.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea expressed interest in signing the Portugal international, who was named as Serie A’s Most Valuable Player last season after leading Milan to the title.
The west Londoners made an approach to sign Leao last summer and offered Ziyech and Pulisic in part-exchange as the club looked to agree a deal. Chelsea valued Leao at around €100m, but saw their offer rejected with Milan insisting the 23-year-old would not leave for less than his €150m release clause.
Chelsea reportedly renewed their interest in the January transfer window despite the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, but Leao has turned down offers from abroad to sign a new deal at the San Siro. His new contract is understood to contain a release clause of €175m.
Leao – who has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in Serie A this season – has returned to training after missing Milan’s 2-0 defeat to Inter in the Champions League semi-finals last week. He is expected to return to the side as Stefano Pioli’s side look to overturn that deficit in the second leg.
