Chelsea suffer ‘blow’ in bid to sign ‘ideal’ Hakim Ziyech replacement from Milan

Chelsea have suffered a ‘blow’ in their attempts to sign an ‘ideal candidate’ to replace Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.

The Blues have been linked with a number of forwards having been snubbed by Raphinha, who’s moved to Barcelona.

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Serge Gnabry has been linked, but the former Arsenal and West Brom man has now agreed a contract extension with Bayern Munich.

The other player ‘of interest to Thomas Tuchel’ is said to be AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.

The Portugal international, who contributed 11 goals and eight assists in 34 Serie A appearances last term, has two years remaining on his current deal with Milan, and the Serie A side are attempting to tie him to a new deal.

But there’s a standoff over Leao’s wage demands with his agent Jorge Mendes demanding €7m per year.

Rumours of Chelsea’s interest are just that, rumours, particularly given Leao has a €150m release clause, and as Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) state, the Italian side have ‘no intention’ to offer a discount to Chelsea or any other interested party.

What’s more, Leao recently took to Instagram to post: ‘New waves on the way .. warming up the engines for something big. We back!!’

Calciomercato see that as a commitment to Milan ahead of the coming season, and therefore, a ‘blow’ to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Gnabry admitted he took time to consider his future before agreeing to extend with Bayern.

“I thought a lot about what I want as a player in the coming years, and came to the conclusion that I want to stay at FC Bayern, win everything again here and experience things – in particular celebrating another Champions League title, but this time with our fans,” Gnabry said.

“It’s special because I get to play here with my friends at the highest level. It certainly wouldn’t feel the same at a different club. I want to experience more great moments here – and nowhere else. The hunger for major honours isn’t going away.”