Chelsea dealt DOUBLE transfer blow as ‘PSG target Rafael Leao as Lionel Messi replacement as well as Milan Skriniar’
CHELSEA have been dealt a double transfer blow as Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly targeting AC Milan star Rafael Leao and Inter Milan ace Milan Skriniar.
The Blues’ owner Todd Boehly is determined to bring Leao, 23, to Stamford Bridge after an approach was turned down by Milan during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign AC Milan star Rafael LeaoGetty
Paris Saint-Germain are also targeting Inter Milan star Milan SkriniarAlamy
Skriniar, 27, has long been on the West Londoners’ radar as well and manager Graham Potter appears keen on the defender whose contract runs out in June.
According to Tuttosport, however, PSG are also keeping tabs on both Serie A stars.
The French champions see Leao as the ideal replacement for Lionel Messi, whose deal runs out in the summer and has been linked with a return to Barcelona.
The winger has a contract until 2024 and the Rossoneri are in talks with his agent Jorge Mendes over a possible extension.
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The Portugal international has also attracted interest from Manchester City but the Serie A giants are unwilling to sell for less than his €150million (£133m) release clause.
But PSG are willing to trigger the 23-year-old’s clause if he doesn’t renew and Messi leaves.
And the Parisians continue to monitor Skriniar’s situation with the next few weeks said to be decisive regarding his future.
The centre-back had agreed an £8m-a-year deal in Paris last summer, but Inter refused to sell for less than £60m.
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With the Slovakia international’s contract running out in the summer, Inter will sit down with the player’s representatives after tonight’s game with Barcelona to try and reach an agreement to extend.
If talks fall through then the Nerazzurri will be forced to sell the 27-year-old Chelsea target in January to avoid losing him for nothing and PSG are reportedly in pole position.