A £14 million transfer setback for Todd Boehly to AC Milan, while a Rafael Leao contract dispute faces Chelsea

Due to a contract issue from Rafael Leao's time at Sporting, Chelsea's pursuit of Rafael Leao from AC Milan has been put on hold. 

A significant setback has been given to Todd Boehly in Chelsea's attempt to capture AC Milan player Rafael Leao. The 23-year-name old's was frequently brought up in the summer as Thomas Tuchel sought to strengthen the front line for his team.

AndThe Blues are reportedly still keeping an eye on the winger's status at the San Siro even after the German was fired because negotiations over a new contract with the Rossoneri are still ongoing. Leao wants almost £118,000 per week, according to Corriere dello Sport, which was cited by Milan News. He also wants the Italian powerhouses to contribute to the settlement amount he must pay his previous club Sporting Lisbon. 

The Portugal international reportedly received instructions to pay his former club €20 million (£18 million) after leaving Sporting for free in 2018 to join Lille. According to reports, Leao's contract with the Portuguese powerhouses was virtually canceled since he believed it was his right to do so following the destruction of the team's practice facility (stormed by fans).

The forward's case didn't hold up in court, so he was ordered to reimburse Sporting, which will apparently come right out of his paycheck. Leao's failure to pay the impending cost, however, has made it crucial to whether or not he signs a new contract with Milan. 

Milan are in direct contact with Sporting, according to the Portuguese publication Record, which was cited by Football Italia, "to help lower" the amount he owes his old team. According to the report, directors Paolo Maldini and Frederico Varandas have met twice recently to discuss the problem at hand.

The Italian powerhouses are ready to assist their star in paying off his debt in the hope that doing so will convince Leao to sign a new contract with the team. He is presently valued at roughly £72 million and has a contract that expires at the San Siro in 2024.

Leao was on the shortlist of candidates for the west Londoners, according to The Telegraph in July. After Raheem Sterling's arrival, rumors of a deal to Chelsea dropped, but the club later rekindled interest late in the summer transfer window, according to the Times. According to the source, Boehly was negotiating his signing and asked whether 'one or more' Blues players could be swapped in a player-plus-cash deal.