Chelsea are “not in the race” to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Writing in his column for TEAMtalk, the former CBS Sports reporter said that, while the Blues have considered purchasing the Portuguese international in the past, they are not actively pursuing him at this stage.

Barcelona are believed to be the club most likely to make a move for Leao at the end of the season, although they are not in the best position financially to table an offer.

Finding the funds required to make a bid, combined with the player’s salary demands, could make any transfer to the Camp Nou difficult to finalise.

Leao is very highly rated

Speaking about the 25-year-old after he scored in a 5-1 win over Poland back in November, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said:

“Leao grew a lot at the EUROs; he had a great match against France, and I think this game was the one that he’s grown the most.”

“Today, he showed who he is, one of the best players in the world one-on-one and when it comes to exploiting spaces. There are not many players in the world who could create that opportunity for the first goal.”

Chelsea are in the market for a winger

While the Blues may not revive their interest in Leao, Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to reinforce their options out wide in the next transfer window. There are doubts about when Mykhailo Mudryk will be available again after he failed a drugs test.

An attempt to recruit Mathys Tel in January was not successful, with the player opting to join Tottenham instead after being given guarantees over game time.

Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho is another player who has come under consideration, as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi.

Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here