Chelsea are 'sensing an opportunity' to tempt AC Milan star Rafael Leao to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport.

Following his appointment as the Blues' head coach in September, Graham Potter will be handed his first opportunity to bolster the squad he inherited from Thomas Tuchel next month.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

Chelsea transfer news - Rafael Leao

According to MailOnline, Chelsea boss Potter is 'in love with Leao' and will make an effort to persuade the club's hierarchy to head to the negotiating table with a bid.

The report suggests AC Milan had hoped to tie the Portugal international down to fresh terms prior to the World Cup, but there are growing fears that he is keen to move onto pastures new and the Blues are now leading the race for his signature.

Leao is set to enter the final 18 months of his current San Siro agreement, which is worth £28,000-per-week, leaving the Serie A giants in a difficult position.

The winger has refused to put pen-to-paper on fresh terms as AC Milan have failed to meet his financial demands, meaning a £70million offer could tempt the Italian side to cash-in.

Phillips recently told GiveMeSport that Chelsea have been 'in touch' with Leao's agent and made it clear they are willing to splash the cash in order to strike a deal during the January transfer window.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Simon Phillips said about Leao?

Phillips understands that Leao is on Chelsea's radar after Armando Broja suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month.

The reliable journalist believes the capital club could look to negotiate a deal in January rather than sticking to their initial plan of waiting until the season reaches its climax.

When asked about Chelsea's winter targets, Phillips told GiveMeSport: "One of them on the shortlist is obviously Rafael Leao.

"I think the intention there was to try and get him in during the summer but, at the moment, they're sensing an opportunity due to his contract situation."

Should Chelsea sign Leao in January?

Broja's injury has left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Chelsea's only out-and-out striker and although Leao is usually deployed out wide, he showed during the World Cup that he is a serious threat in the opposition's penalty area.

According to Sofascore, the 23-year-old got his name on the scoresheet every 44 minutes thanks to netting against Ghana and Switzerland.

The statistics also show Leao won 100 per cent of the aerial duels he was involved in, emphasising that he is capable of being a threat in the air.

FBref data demonstrates that the AC Milan man has averaged more goals and assists per 90 minutes than current Chelsea trio Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech this season, so Potter should not hesitate in attempting to get a deal over the line.

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