Chelsea are “pushing hard” to secure the signature of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge, after the Rossoneri confirmed the Blues’ interest in the player over the summer, and Bailey says the forward’s contract situation makes the transfer increasingly likely:

“Rafael Leao is another who Chelsea are pushing hard for. AC Milan are desperate for Leao to sign a new long-term deal and are willing to make him the highest paid player in Serie A. But as it stands, he has not signed and they thought that would be done before the World Cup finals. We need to keep an eye on the Leao situation.”

Leao will have just eighteen months left on his contract in January and recent reports in Italy suggest that Milan may be forced into selling the winger for as little as €80m (£70m) to ensure his value doesn’t drop even further.

Chelsea are not the only team who are said to be interested in the 23-year-old. The likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mentioned as potential suitors in recent weeks, so there is likely to be a battle for the player’s services if he decides not to extend his contract.