Chelsea have been exploring the prospect of potentially signing AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leão this summer, according to Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old joined Milan from Sporting Lisbon in 2019, but it seems that the Portugal striker could be on the move this summer.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

What’s the latest on Chelsea?

Jones tweeted last week to keep an eye out on Leão, should Thomas Tuchel’s side be unable to secure the signing of Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are making their mark in the window, with the signing of Manchester City and England international Raheem Sterling seeming to be imminent.

Leão would likely be a genuine option for the club should the signings of both Dembele and Raphinha fall through, with Tuchel in desperate need of reinforcements on his attacking front line this season.

What has Jones said about Leão?

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “His agent has definitely been working hard to see if there would be any other prospects of big clubs out there and a big deal on the table for him.

“I know that Chelsea had a little nibble on that too and it’s suggested that they might be interested.

“If Raphinha and Dembele are to fall through then look out for Rafael Leão.”

Will Leão sign for Chelsea?

As it stands, with the club in talks over deals for Sterling, Dembele, and Raphinha, it seems unlikely that Leão will be a Chelsea player come the start of the Premier League season, although he could be considered a genuine back-up option if one of these transfers were to fall through.

The nine-time Portugal international played in 42 games for Milan last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists according to Transfermarkt, showing that the winger is as capable of creating goals as he is at scoring them.

Leão is a proficient dribbler, owing to why he is often used out on the wing by Milan, ranking in the top 4% of attacking midfielders/wingers across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for dribbles completed per 90 minutes (3.23) according to FBref.

He also ranks in the top 10% of attacking midfielders/wingers for progressive carries per 90 (8.76) according to the same stats provider, suggesting that he likes to get the ball forward when given the opportunity.

However, when compared to Dembele, the French winger ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders/wingers for both progressive carries and dribbles completed, suggesting that the Barcelona forward should perhaps be Chelsea’s first choice in the transfer market this summer.

Whilst Leão could still prove to be an excellent signing, the £63m-rated winger doesn’t compare favourably to Dembele, suggesting that given the choice, the Stamford Bridge club should opt for the Barcelona man this summer.