Club president spotted in London for meeting with Chelsea over Rafael Leao transfer

Chelsea met with a club president over Arsenal target Rafael Leao, it has been claimed.

Arsenal are currently wrapped up in a fierce title race with Manchester City.

Having drawn their last three games, Mikel Arteta’s side travel to the Etihad knowing they need to claim a win against City to retain a good chance of winning their first Premier League in 19 years.

Yet, while there are still six games of the season to play, the Gunners have one eye on the summer transfer window.

Among the many players the north London side have been linked with is AC Milan star Leão, who Transfermarkt value at €80million (£70million).

Back in March journalist Dean Jones told GiveMeSport that both Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the Portugal international, who has netted 13 goals in 41 games for the Rossoneri this term.

And Chelsea appear to be stepping up their interest in the attacker, described as 'electric' by The Athletic, should reports be believed.

Chelsea meet with Sporting president

According to A Bola, Sporting president Frederico Varandas was in London on Tuesday alongside other officials to meet with Chelsea and Barcelona over Leao.

Indeed, when Varandas and co met with Chelsea’s hierarchy, Leao was allegedly the “subject on the table”.

The Blues have been interested in the Portuguese forward since last summer, and reportedly want to understand the “contours” of the dispute between Leao and his former club Sporting.

The Primeira Liga side are still owed £14.6million, plus another £3.37million in compensation following the unilateral termination of the player’s contract after the invasion of Sporting’s academy five years ago.

Leao is currently in talks to renew his Milan deal, which runs until 2024, but Chelsea reportedly believe they can lure him away from the Champions League semi-finalists.

Their openness to the deal has been evidenced in their attempt to address the financial dispute.

Moreover, the belief is that Chelsea would be willing to give Sporting priority on the list of players that they want to get rid of this summer.

Topics: Football, Transfers, Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Premier League, Sporting CP

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.