Chelsea boss Graham Potter fails to quell Leao transfer speculation with Premier League claim

Chelsea failed in their bid to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan this summer but their interest remains with Graham Potter claiming he has 'the skills and talent' to excel in the Premier League.

Leao will get the chance to prove his quality on Wednesday night as his Milan side travel to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.

Chelsea made an approach for the 23-year-old on deadline day which was pushed back by the Serie A side.

The offer, believed to be around £70m, fell short of Milan's asking price, with the winger's release clause set at £130m.

Paulo Maldini, Milan's technical director, is in talks with Leao's representatives to extend his contract, which expires in 2024.

But Chelsea remain enthusiastic and Calciomercato co-owner Todd Boehly plans to meet senior Italian squad officials ahead of the Champions League clash.

And new manager Potter spoke of his admiration for Leao before the match.

"I'm really positively surprised by what he's done, he's made the difference in attack with goals and assists," Potter said. "Congratulations, he's a top player.

"So what he will be like in the future, I don't know but he is playing very well with Milan. He has the skills and the talent to be able to play in the Premier League as well."

Even if Leao refuses to extend his contract, the Portugal international won't come cheap in January, or this summer, when the Blues look likely to sign another striker, Christopher Nkunku.

The France international has a €60m release clause at RB Leipzig which comes into effect next summer and reports claim Chelsea are ready to offer more than that now to avoid a bidding war.

It is claimed that the 24-year-old has already passed a medical before moving to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, but a contract has yet to be signed.

Potter refused to be fired on Nkunku links ahead of the Milan clash and Leipzig boss Marco Rose claimed it was mere 'speculation'.

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