Chelsea have reportedly surged ahead in the race to sign AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao, leapfrogging Saudi giants Al-Nassr despite their financial muscle, according to a fresh update from CaughtOffside.
Chelsea Could Beat Al-Nassr and Arsenal to Rafael Leao Signing This Summer
Leao, widely regarded as one of the most explosive wingers in Europe, has attracted significant interest from top clubs due to his consistent performances in Serie A.
The Portuguese international, who has a £148 million release clause active for a brief window in July, remains a key transfer target for Chelsea as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season.
Initial talks between Chelsea and Leao’s representatives have already taken place, with the Blues reportedly in the “most advanced” position to secure a deal.
Crucially, Leao is understood to prefer staying in Europe, which gives Chelsea a significant edge over Al-Nassr, who were also keen to land the 24-year-old and pair him with Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh.
Enzo Maresca’s side are in the thick of a Champions League qualification battle, and their summer recruitment drive hinges on securing a top-five finish.
With crucial games against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest still to come, every point counts—not just for the table, but for the calibre of players Chelsea can attract.
Leao’s profile perfectly fits Chelsea’s desire for a new marquee winger. His mix of pace, power, and flair has made him one of Milan’s standout performers since his move from Lille.
Former Blues striker Tammy Abraham even called him “unstoppable” when in form, underlining the kind of impact he could have at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal have also shown interest in Leao but reportedly consider him a fallback option to Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
With Leao keen to remain in Europe and Chelsea pushing hard to land a world-class attacker, this could be a pivotal summer for the Blues—especially if they can get their man before the competition heats up.
