Manchester United have made their first move to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao, who is looking for a move to the Premier League this summer.
Leao has been with Milan for seven years and in that time established himself as one of Europe’s premier attacking talents, accruing 145 goals and assists in 291 appearances for the club. But Milan are in need of a rebuild after a poor season after not making Champions League qualification and Leao has been backed for a move.
United managed, under Michael Carrick’s interim watch, to finish third in the Premier League this season, their equal best finish since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at the helm. They bolstered their attack last summer by bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Sesko, all of whom were utilised by Carrick, but they currently lack an out-and-out winger to further boost their attacking threat, and Leao could be the man to solve this problem.
According to reports in Italy, United have made contact with Leao’s representatives, as well as Premier League rivals Arsenal, but no formal bid has yet been made.
Leao has made no secret of his admiration for former United star, and Portugal legend, Cristiano Ronaldo. But has also name-checked Arsenal when asked about his favoured clubs.
“I like United. I like United because my idol is Cristiano Ronaldo,” Leao explained on the Cernucci Podcast. “So back then I used to watch them. And, yeah, I used to watch Manchester United. I like Arsenal also. Arsenal, yeah."
United’s two current transfer priorities are reportedly a match-winning winger, in the mould of Leao, and a central midfielder, following Casemiro’s departure at the end of the season, for which they are heavily linked with Atalanta’s Ederson.
