Why Chelsea are set to be dealt a double transfer blow
Robin Bairner
- 19 Oct 2022 08:44 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea’s prospects of a successful January transfer window are set to receive a blow with the news that Inter’s Milan Skriniar and Milan’s Rafael Leao are both set to sign new contracts with their respective clubs.
Skriniar and Leao had both been earmarked as winter additions for the Blues, who spent a record sum in the summer to strengthen their squad under new ownership.
Despite this big spending, Chelsea have found themselves short in the centre of defence but also in attack, where there are already doubts over the suitability of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead their line on a long-term basis. In the defence, meanwhile, Wesley Fofana has picked up an injury while Kalidou Koulibaly has not made the immediate impression hoped after arriving from Napoli.
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Chelsea, who lie fourth in the Premier League, eight points and one game behind leaders Arsenal, therefore wish to strengthen their squad midseason.
Graham Potter’s side, though, could see their two leading transfer targets escape them.
Skriniar and Leao to sign new contracts
Skriniar was a player they and PSG looked at during the summer transfer window but were ultimately priced out of the market, despite the 27-year-old being out of contract next summer. Although the Slovakia international has widely been expected to sign a new deal with Inter, partly out of loyalty to the club, no action has been taken yet.
Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has expressed his optimism that a deal can be reached with the defender, stating: “We’ll meet with Milan Skriniar agents after the game vs Viktoria Plzen. There are chances to reach an agreement on new deal.
“Skriniar is a top professional and he loves Inter, I’m optimistic — then it’s up to him too.”
The situation with Rafael Leao, meanwhile, is also straightforward. Milan wanted Chelsea to meet the player’s release clause for a deal to be done, but the Blues did not want to stump up €150 million for him.
The Rossoneri are ready to take the issue out of Chelsea’s hands by having the Portugal attacker sign a new contract that will either increase or eliminate this clause.
“We’re confident he’ll sign a new deal,” Frederic Massara, Milan’s director of football, said.
If both Skriniar and Rafael Leao sign new contracts, then, Chelsea will have to recruit elsewhere.
