Arsenal and Chelsea suffer transfer setback as PSG plot bid for AC Milan star if Messi leaves

Paris Saint-Germain are considering a bid for Arsenal and Chelsea target Rafael Leao if Lionel Messi leaves the club this summer, according to a new report.

The Portuguese forward has been a key player for Milan under Stefano Pioli's reign, and last season helped the club to their first Scudetto since 2011.

He scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances in Serie A, and has followed that tally with eight goals and six assists in 24 games this term.

Italian outlet Tuttosport (via Pianeta Milan) claimed that Chelsea were ready to table a bid of €120 million for the player in January, although his recent poor form has led to suggestions that the Italian giants could accept a lower fee.

Furthermore, Leao is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract, which expires in the summer of 2024, having yet to agree a renewal.

A new report claims that PSG could swoop for the forward, described as 'electric' by Sempre Milan, this summer.

PSG keen on Rafael Leao

According to Calciomercato, PSG are on the lookout for replacements for the trio of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, should one of those players depart Parc des Princes in the summer.

It is claimed that Leao has emerged as a serious option for the French club, and that their sporting director Luis Campos will work on the deal in the upcoming weeks.

PSG are said to be prepared to meet a release clause of £132 million within Leao's contract, which deals a blow to Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Those clubs have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old, but if they were to match that figure within their bids, it would break their transfer records - by a significant amount in the case of the Gunners.

Whether either side does launch a bid remains to be seen - but it appears that they certainly now have some strong competition to land the Portugal international.