Chelsea boss Potter opens door to sign ‘top player’ Leao.. but will have to pay £87m transfer fee for AC Milan winger
CHELSEA boss Graham Potter has hailed AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as a “top player” amid transfer speculation.
The Blues are set for another big spending spree in 2023 under new owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea are said to be closing in on RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku for next summer.
Nkunku, 24, will cost around £53m and underwent a medical in Germany last month as part of the future arrangements.
The West London club would also like to sign Nkunku’s Leipzig team-mate Josko Gvardiol, who is seen as a long-term replacement for the ageing Thiago Silva.
But the spending spree might not stop there, as according to Corriere Della Serra, Chelsea are “ahead of everyone” in the race for Milan forward Leao.
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However, Milan won’t part ways with the 23-year-old unless a club pays north of £87m.
Nonetheless, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions league clash with Milan, Chelsea boss Potter was full of praise for the forward.
Potter says “top player” Leao has the “capability” to play in the Premier League.
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with Rafael Leao whenever I’ve watched Milan games, he’s a top player.
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“In terms of what happens in the future, who knows whether he can do this in Premier League or not.
“He’s got the capability, for sure.”