As AC Milan prepared to kick off their 3-1 win at Empoli over the weekend, a fan invaded the pitch in search of Rafael Leao, a star in the making who will lead the club's charge at Chelsea tomorrow (HK time).
The fan wanted a selfie with the 23-year-old Portuguese forward who, after hitting double figures last season, had started this campaign spectacularly, scoring four times and setting up six more in all competitions.
Milan's only defeat of the season came in the one match Leao has missed, against Italian Serie A leaders Napoli.
Although Stefano Pioli's team has been hit with a raft of injuries, Leao's form has them travelling to London in high spirits.
He will be the key man at Stamford Bridge as Milan attempt to hold top spot in Group E. They lead by one point from Dinamo Zagreb.
A good performance will surely increase Chelsea's interest in Leao. During the close season, the Blues made an informal bid to Milan, who value Leao at well over 100 million euros (HK$776.9 million).
Milan's technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed that the club had rejected an offer from Chelsea but added that "no one is unsellable."
Milan are trying to get Leao to extend his current deal, which runs to 2024, before the World Cup in Qatar. Italian daily Corriere Della Sera reports that they are offering 6-7 million euros a year in a bid to stave off interest from the Premier League.
Leao unilaterally terminated his contract with Sporting in 2018 after fans invaded the club's training ground. He joined French Ligue 1 side Lille before moving on to Milan.
Chelsea made an informal bid for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao during the close season. REUTERS
