AC Milan technical director, Paolo Maldini, has confirmed Chelsea’s reported interest in winger Rafael Leao.

Maldini claimed that Chelsea made a verbal approach for Leao in the summer window.

He, however, said the Serie A champions rejected their advancements to keep hold of the Portugal star.

Chelsea, under new ownership, Todd Boehly, dived deep into the summer transfer market, splashing over £250 million this summer to bolster their squad.

Leao was one of the names on their transfer wishlist, and the Premier League giants eventually failed to sign him.

Chelsea hasn’t sent any official bid for Leo— but they made a verbal proposal... and we rejected it, of course.

“He knows that staying here is the best way to improve." We want to do great things with Rafa Leao in our project, "Maldini said, as per Fabrizio Romano.