Chelsea offered two players to AC Milan in exchange deal for Rafael Leao last summer

Chelsea reportedly offered Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to AC Milan in an exchange deal for Rafael Leao last summer. 

The 23-year-old has been earning rave reviews with his performances in Italy since he joined the Rossoneri from Lille in 2019. 

He was one of the key players for the Serie A outfit last season when they pipped Inter Milan to the league title. 

His excellent displays led to plenty of interest from several top European clubs during the last summer window. 

According to The Athletic, the Blues offered Ziyech and Pulisic to tempt Milan into letting Leao leave the San Siro. 

The Premier League giants initially valued him at £87 million and also offered the aforementioned players separately to sweeten the deal. 

However, despite the Portugal international’s contract expiring in 2024, Milan turned down their proposal and asked them to pay his £130m buyout clause. 

Chelsea didn’t give up as they returned for a status update on Leao in January when they had already secured a deal for Mykhailo Mudryk. 

However, it now looks as if the Italian giants have successfully kept hold of their star player as he has penned a five-year deal that will see his buyout clause rise to £153m.  

Leao is currently out injured with an adductor problem, and Milan will hope to have him back soon as they aim to secure a top-four finish by the end of the season. 

They also face a massive challenge in the Champions League after slumping to a 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan in the first leg of the semi-final.