AC Milan 'line up Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech as Rafael Leao replacements'

Portugal international Leao has attracted the attention of the Blues and other top clubs around Europe after playing a key role in Milan's Serie A title triumph last season.

Leao scored 11 goals and set up 10 more in 34 league outings for Stefano Pioli's side in 2021-22 and has opened the new campaign with three goals and six assists from eight appearances in all competitions.

Chelsea reportedly failed with a big-money approach for Leao late in the transfer window, and Graham Potter's side are therefore being tipped to reignite their interest in 2023.

Manchester City are said to be ready to rival Chelsea for the ex-Lille man, but the Blues may already be at an advantage, with Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that Milan have identified two Chelsea attackers as possible replacements.

The report claims that Leao is holding out for a higher salary with any new contract - approximately £6.2m per year - but Milan's highest offer so far has been £5.3m with add-ons.

As a result, Milan could be pressured into a sale in the coming months, and the Rossoneri are ready to move for either Pulisic or Ziyech as Leao's replacement.

Ziyech was thought to have been in talks with Milan over the summer before staying put at Stamford Bridge, but he has only made four appearances for the Blues this season, including one Premier League start.

Meanwhile, USA international Pulisic has also featured in the starting lineup just once in the Premier League - making a further seven appearances as a substitute - and he is without a goal or assist this term.

As is the case with Leao, Pulisic is also due to become a free agent in 2024, but he recently hinted that he would be prepared to stay at Chelsea if he can enjoy a "fresh start" under Potter.

"I'm feeling good going back, honestly. I have a fresh start now, and I'm excited to play for the new manager," Pulisic told ESPN. "So really just looking forward to it. I just have to prove myself, as everyone does, and as I've done before."

A financial dispute with the 23-year-old's former club Sporting is also thought to be a reason for Milan's failure to tie Leao down to fresh terms, as the Portuguese club are supposedly owed £13.8m due to the attacker terminating his deal to sign for Lille in 2018.

Nevertheless, Milan director Paolo Maldini remains hopeful that a solution will be reached and Leao will commit his long-term future to the Scudetto holders, telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "Leao has a difficult situation that comes from his move to Lille, which is affecting him a lot and has meant that our interlocutors have often changed.

"But Rafa is grateful to us and I'm interested in what he says to us. He understands that his path in the coming years must be at Milan, he understands that and tells us as much.

"There will be a negotiation but we know that good players must be paid their value. If the team grows further, Leao will have everything to compete to the fullest. Of course, there are no non-transferable players at any team around the world."

Leao - who was named Milan's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season - has registered a total of 30 goals and 27 assists in 123 appearances for the club since arriving in 2019 for a £26.5m fee.