Chelsea 'will be back for talks' over 'dynamic' £132m star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea ‘will be back for talks’ over AC Milan star Rafael Leao as they have set their sights on welcoming ‘one of the most entertaining footballers in the world’ to Stamford Bridge, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Blues have entered a new era, with Graham Potter being appointed as their head coach following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel earlier this month, and the former Brighton & Hove Albion chief’s first opportunity to make alterations to his squad will come in January.

AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed that Chelsea made an informal approach for Leao during the summer transfer window but failed to present an official bid.

It is understood that the Blues’ proposal was worth £61million plus add-ons, but that fell a long way short of the release clause written into the winger’s contract.

Leao’s San Siro agreement, which has less than two years left to run, has a buyout figure just shy of £132million and AC Milan were unwilling to sanction his departure unless that was activated.

The 23-year-old would have comfortably surpassed Romelu Lukaku as the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history if they opted to meet the Serie A giants’ financial demands.

AC Milan are looking to tie Leao down to a new contract, but there is uncertainty over whether they will succeed in their bid due to being unwilling to meet his expectations of a deal worth more than £6million-per-year.

Jones believes Leao is a hugely exciting prospect and would offer more than Kai Havertz, who set Chelsea back £71million when he joined from Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.

The journalist is expecting the west Londoners to test AC Milan’s resolve by re-entering discussions next summer.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Leao is a bit