Chelsea handed Rafael Leao opportunity as agent works on Pedro Neto exit

Chelsea could be handed the opportunity to sign Rafael Leao before the transfer deadline, with an intermediary reportedly trying to construct a deal that would see the AC Milan winger replace Pedro Neto at Stamford Bridge.

Leao has been offered around during the summer as Milan attempt to find a buyer for the Portugal international.

Manchester United previously made contact over a possible move, while Tottenham were also presented with the opportunity to sign him but did not make a formal approach.

Chelsea have now emerged as another potential destination, with Milan's need to generate money through player sales potentially creating an opportunity late in the window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan have effectively completed their incoming transfer business unless they can raise further funds through departures.

Diego Moreira is arriving from Strasbourg and could help compensate for Leao's departure should the Portuguese winger be sold.

Finding a destination for Leao has proven difficult, however, with several intermediaries now involved in attempts to arrange an exit.

Roma have made initial contact but are not currently progressing with a deal.

One unnamed agent is instead attempting to construct an ambitious transfer to Chelsea.

The intermediary is also working to find a new club for Pedro Neto, which could create room in Chelsea's attack for Leao.

Neto has attracted interest from both Manchester City and Al-Hilal.

The most significant development from Chelsea's perspective is Milan's asking price.

The Serie A club are now reportedly prepared to sanction Leao's departure for €40million after struggling to find suitable buyers elsewhere.

That would represent a potentially significant opportunity for Chelsea if Neto leaves before the September 1 deadline.

However, there is no indication yet that Chelsea have submitted an offer or opened direct negotiations with Milan.

For now, the proposed move appears to be driven by an intermediary attempting to bring the different pieces of the deal together.

Chelsea are hardly short of options on the left.

Morgan Rogers arrived from Aston Villa earlier this summer, Mykhailo Mudryk is back with the first-team squad and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens remains another option.

Leao, however, would offer something different.

At his best, the Portugal international is an explosive one-versus-one winger capable of carrying the ball over long distances, attacking defenders directly and providing a major goal threat from the left.

Chelsea have struggled to find consistent elite production from that side of the attack in recent years.

That makes Leao an intriguing option despite the number of wide players already available to Xabi Alonso.

At a reported €40m asking price, Chelsea could view the 27-year-old as an upgrade rather than simply another addition to an already crowded position.

The key development to watch is Pedro Neto's future.

If the Portugal international leaves Chelsea before the deadline, the intermediary working on the two situations could attempt to accelerate Leao's move to Stamford Bridge.

Milan's willingness to accept around €40m makes a deal considerably more achievable, but Chelsea would still need to decide whether Leao represents enough of an upgrade to justify adding another high-profile winger.

With the transfer deadline approaching, Neto's potential departure could be the domino that turns Leao's Chelsea possibility into a genuine negotiation.