Manchester City remain in contention to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to reports in the German media.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent months but it is believed that both the Premier League champions and Real Madrid will compete with the Blues for the player’s signature.

Milan are keen to hold out for Leao’s €150m (£128.6m) release clause but that does not seem to be a realistic ambition, considering the 23-year-old’s contract situation.

The forward has only eighteen months remaining on his current deal and the Rossoneri are not confident that he will extend his stay at the San Siro. It means the Serie A champions could be forced into selling him for a lower price either in January or next summer.

City are thought to be long-term admirers of Leao, with reports about their interest having first emerged all the way back in 2018 when he was still at Sporting Lisbon. It remains to be seen, though, whether they will now finally make an official approach for him.