Mykhaylo Mudryk risks falling down the pecking order at Chelsea if the club pushes on with their pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao. The forward is a top target at Stamford Bridge, with reports speculating that the club are looking at a deal that would see some of their fringe stars head to Italy.
Leao has been one of the most exciting talents in Europe this season, with his performances at the San Siro catching the attention of several sides. The Portugal international has been heavily linked with several sides, including Manchester City, though Chelsea are said to be attempting to steal a march on their rivals.
The 23-year-old is in contract extension talks with Milan currently, though a bumper deal is not expected to deter interest. According to 90min, Chelsea are keen on Leao regardless of his contract situation and are plotting a swap deal to acquire his services.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is among the stars being considered as makeweights in the deal, with AC Milan already registering an interest in the academy product ahead of the summer.
The Serie A giants are also said to hold an interest in Kalidou Koulibaly, who has struggled since joining Chelsea and may benefit from a return to Italy to get his career back on track.
Milan are said to have Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi ‘on their radar’ as well, and the pair already appear to be surplus to requirements at the club, regardless of who is appointed as their new manager.
The arrival of Leao could prove to be bad news for Mudryk, who is already struggling for opportunities with the Blues and may therefore have to play second fiddle on the bench for the foreseeable future. The Ukraine international arrived at the club from Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of £88.5million (including add-ons) in January but is yet to open his account in the Premier League, starting just five games.
Mudryk has provided a spark of energy in a disappointing Chelsea team, though a lack of composure in the final third has seen him squander the chance to truly make his mark. It remains to be seen whether the imminent arrival of Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge will see Mudryk be given a boost of confidence, with reports speculating that the Argentine is confident that he can help the 22-year-old hit the heights that Son Heung-min did during their time together at Tottenham.
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