Chelsea have been given a major update in their transfer pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao who has been urged to sign a new contract at the Italian club. The Blues have been long-term admirers of the 23-year-old and looked poised to make a move for the attacker with his current contract up in the summer of 2024.
Several promising World Cup cameos seemingly justified Chelsea's interest in Leao and also appeared to catch the attention of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City who have reportedly put forward quite the swap deal.
Pep Guardiola wants to sign Leao and is willing to include Jack Grealish in a swap deal, despite the fact he is only in his second season at the club, as per CMW. A transfer departure is not the only possible outcome from this transfer saga though, as Leao could commit his long-term future to Milan.
READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez Benfica absence hints at Chelsea transfer amid £106m talks for Argentina star
Discussion surrounding a new deal for Leao has not been glossed over in the slightest by many in Italy, with Milan manager Stefano Pioli making his thoughts on Leao's future very clear.
He told Sky Sports, via Football Italia: "I advise him to sign a new deal and stay at Milan. I see Rafa very happy here. Leao here will have the chance to improve again, he feels good at Milan with this group."
Leao is club team-mates with two former Chelsea stars in Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud and in the hopes of seeing him stay, the former Blues duo and the rest of the Milan squad will not seek to stop the winger from signing a new lucrative contract which would make him the highest-paid player at the club.
Many of the recent updates on Leao's contract situation appear to be positive and the latest claim is arguably the biggest yet, which will put a huge dent into Chelsea's hopes of signing him. Gianluca Di Marzio claims that 'confidence is growing' at AC Milan that Leao will pen a new deal in Italy.
Milan have raised their proposal for Leao to a total €7million per-year (£6.1million) which will likely see him become the highest-paid player at the club and hopefully in Milan's case be enough to fight off interest from the Premier League.
READ NEXT:
Koulibaly replaced, Ziyech steps up – Three Chelsea changes Graham Potter must make vs Man City
Chelsea agree £33.6m Benoit Badiashile transfer amid London medical as personal terms agreed
Chelsea have chance to repeat Reece James and Mason Mount trick with Vincent Kompany's approval
Declan Rice signs, Champions League failure, Graham Potter worry - Chelsea 2023 predictions
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
