Man City linked with moves for Chelsea target

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, has hinted Chelsea, under new owner Todd Boehly that Manchester City are have joined the race to hijack AC Milan forward Rafael Leao only to disrupt the Blues’ recruitment plans.

Leao, who has two years left on his current deal with AC Milan, was linked with a move to Chelsea earlier in the summer transfer window but it didn’t work out.

This was because while Chelsea were close to signing the Portugal star, they only had a verbal bid with AC Milan, which was rejected, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Seria A side values the 23-year-old attacker at £129 million release clause.

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson claimed that the Citizens only want to sign Leao to stop Chelsea from improving their squad with his addition.

“You would not say that they need another forward. They are probably looking at signing him just, so others [like Chelsea] do not have him. City are amassing a squad with two top-quality players in every position. They do not need any additions when you look at their squad,” Robinson said.

“But we know that Pep Guardiola likes to rotate. To have a player like Leao at your disposal would be great. If the board are going to let you sign him, why wouldn’t you?”

He added: “City are a team competing on all fronts, so I’m sure he would be interested even if he is not guaranteed to start. You are guaranteed to win silverware at City. What player would not want that?”