Chelsea attacking target to sign new contract?

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has revealed that the club are planning to commit Chelsea target Rafael Leao to a new long-term deal.

The Blues were eager to sign the Portuguese before the transfer deadline on Thursday, but their £69m proposal was turned down by the Rossoneri.

It became clear that Chelsea needed to trigger the £129m release clause on his contract and this ended their chances of signing the 23-year-old.

Leao currently has less than two years remaining on his deal, and Pioli has now disclosed that discussions are planned to extend the forward's stay.

The former Lille man bagged 14 goals and 12 assists for the Rossoneri last term. He has carried over the form in the early weeks of the new season.

Leao has three goals and two assists from five Serie A games. Three of those involvements came in the stunning 3-2 derby win over Inter this weekend.

Milan are now under the control of new owners RedBird Capital Partners, and they would not want to lose one of their most important assets.