Chelsea told Rafael Leao wants to stay at AC Milan after £134m transfer links with Man City also keen

Rafael Leao has told AC Milan he wants to stay at the club amid links with Chelsea and Manchester City, according to Paolo Maldini.

The Rossoneri director has explained the issues around talks to extend Leao’s contract due to an ongoing dispute with Sporting CP, who he reportedly owes £13.8million having torn up his contract to sign for Lille in 2018.

But Maldini is confident that the Portuguese striker sees his future in Milan despite emerging as a £134m target for the Premier League giants.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport, via CalcioMercato: “Leao has a difficult situation that comes from his move to Lille, which is affecting him a lot and has meant that our interlocutors have often changed.

“But Rafa is grateful to us and I’m interested in what he says to us. He understands that his path in the coming years must be at Milan, he understands that and tells us as much.

“There will be a negotiation but we know that good players must be paid their value. If the team grows further, Leao will have everything to compete to the fullest.

“Of course, there are no non-transferable players at any team around the world.”