Chelsea ready to step up pursuit for two Milan stars if one condition is met | OneFootball

Milan’s qualification for next season’s Champions League would be crucial to retaining their most important players, as clubs like Chelsea are reportedly ready to lure some of them away if they are denied the prospect of playing European football.

The Rossoneri recently suffered their third consecutive Serie A defeat, and with the team now sitting ninth in the standings—11 points adrift of the last available Champions League spot—it seems unlikely that they will be able to leapfrog the five teams currently ahead of them in the remaining 11 fixtures.

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Torino and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on February 22, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Chelsea ready to target Milan star duo if Rossoneri miss out on Champions League

However, Calciomercato.com reports that missing out on Europe’s top competition could significantly impact Milan’s transfer strategy, potentially forcing the club to consider selling their top players to offset financial losses.

Among them there’s Tijjani Reijnders, one of the few stand-out players in a troubled season, with his strong displays leading the Rossoneri to extend his contract until 2030.

However, Chelsea have already inquired about the Dutch star and would be ready to intensify their pursuit of the midfielder if Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League—or possibly even the Europa League—leaving them in a more vulnerable position.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Givairo Read of Feyenoord during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Premier League giants have also expressed interest in Rafael Leão, who is widely considered one of the players most likely to leave San Siro at the end of the season, according to recent reports.

Chelsea are confident they can capitalize on their strong relationship with Milan—evident from recent transfers—to negotiate a deal for some of the club’s top talents.