Chelsea have reportedly been handed a major boost in their pursuit of AC Milan star - and Arsenal target - Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese forward has had another impressive season in Italy. He has scored five goals and provided four assists in Serie A, as well as a further goal and two assists arriving in the Champions League.
At 23, Leao is still to enter his prime years and, with an ability to play on the left wing and in a centre forward role, his versatility makes him even more of a threat in games.
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The Portugal international also has searing pace, excellent finishing prowess and an ability to dribble beyond players with ease.
Furthermore, his relatively tall height (6ft 2in) for a winger makes him an imposing presence - making him almost the perfect forward player.
It is no surprise, therefore, that other major European clubs are interested in the player, described as 'electric' by The Athletic. And although Arsenal are reportedly keen on bringing him to the Emirates Stadium, they face fierce competition.
Chelsea, Arsenal battling for Rafael Leao
According to Sky Italia, Milan are desperate to keep Leao, who has a release clause of around £130.5 million, at San Siro.
However, it is claimed that the 23-year-old is asking for 'astronomical' wages to stay at the club. The reported primary reason behind this is because of a €19 million payment Leao owes to his former club, Sporting Lisbon.
The forward terminated his contract with Sporting in 2018, after the club's players were attacked by fans at their training ground, and joined Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer.
However, Sporting argued that they were owed Leao's €45 million release clause.
The case went to court, with Sporting claiming an alleged contract breach. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered Leao to pay compensation due to a unilateral breach of contract and, in January this year, Leao lost an appeal against the decision.
According to Tuttosport in July, Leao and agent Jorge Mendes agreed a €19 million compensation fee with the player's former club, with Leao and Lille ordered to pay the fee together.
Overall, the high wages could be a major boost for Chelsea, who could likely afford his reported £170,000-a-week wage demands.
This may make Arsenal's pursuit tougher, with Spotrac claiming that the club pay only two of their players more than Leao's requested wage.
There could, however, be plenty of twists and turns to go in this story just yet.
Topics: Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Premier League, Serie A
Ryan Smart