Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Manchester United 'set sights on £124m Portugal international striker'

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 April 2024, 16:08
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to push ahead with a big-money move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao during this summer's transfer window.

The Red Devils will bring in at least one attacker in the upcoming market, with Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho both expected to move on at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri could also be made surplus to requirements, while there remains speculation surrounding the futures of both Antony and Marcus Rashford, although it is unlikely that either will depart Old Trafford during the summer window.

According to Fichajes, Leao has been identified by the 20-time English champions as a leading target, and the club could battle Premier League rivals Arsenal for the 24-year-old's signature.

The report claims that Milan value the Portugal international at €145m (£124m), with the Red Devils therefore facing the prospect of having to break their transfer record to bring him in.

Milan allegedly value Leao at €145m (£124m)

Leao started his professional career at Sporting Lisbon in 2017, but he only made five appearances for the Portuguese giants before moving to Lille in 2018.

The forward scored eight goals and registered two assists in 26 outings for the French outfit during the 2018-19 campaign ahead of a switch to Milan in August 2019.

The Portuguese has scored 55 goals and registered 48 assists in 201 appearances for his Italian side in all competitions, including 44 goals and 37 assists in 157 Serie A matches.

Leao has again been in impressive form for Milan this season, scoring 12 goals and registering 12 assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.

The attacker signed a new contract at San Siro last June, with his existing terms running until June 2028, but Man United are allegedly determined to bring him to the Premier League.

Which other positions will Man United prioritise this summer?

The upcoming transfer window is expected to be busy for Man United, even if the club are unable to secure Champions League football for the 2024-25 campaign.

At least one new centre-back will be required this summer, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both out of contract, while there remains uncertainty surrounding the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

A right-back will also arrive if Aaron Wan-Bissaka is allowed to depart, while midfielders Casemiro and Christian Eriksen may leave this summer, which would open up space to bring in a new player in that area of the field.

Sofyan Amrabat's loan deal from Fiorentina is unlikely to be made permanent, while Omari Forson only has a deal until the end of the season, so it could be a summer of huge change in every area of the field.

The spine of the team undoubtedly needs strengthening if the club are to enjoy a more successful 2024-25 campaign, but it remains to be seen whether Erik ten Hag keeps his job as head coach, with the Dutchman under huge pressure.

Top News

2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign a new midfielder in the summer. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both Champions League semi-finals are delicately poised ahead of the second legs next week. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has reportedly received an official offer from Fluminense. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have dropped a major hint over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the launch of their new home kit for the 2024-25 campaign. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have been dealt a blow with the news that one of their defenders has suffered a serious knee injury. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have unveiled their official men's and women's home kit for the 2024-25 season, which pays homage to the legendary treble-winning side from the 1983-84 campaign. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's ambitions of Premier League glory could fully crash and burn when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield for Sunday's Premier League fixture. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A pair of Ligue 1 sides fighting for different things in the latter portion of the campaign will square off on Friday as Lens welcome Lorient to Stade Bollaert-Delelis. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marseille vs. Atalanta (Thursday, 8.00pm) Meeting for the first time in European competition, Marseille and Atalanta BC will both seek a crucial first-leg lead as they kick off their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS) will square off on Saturday as Inter Miami host the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In a matchup between one of the hottest teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and one of the top teams in the Western Conference, Austin FC will travel to BC Place Stadium on Saturday to battle the Vancouver Whitecaps. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have put one foot in the final of the 2023-24 Champions League thanks to a 1-0 victory over a wasteful Paris Saint-Germain at the Signal Iduna Park. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With the chance to guarantee their Eredivisie safety, Almere City will welcome Heerenveen to the Yanmar Stadion on Friday. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have proven themselves to be the best side in La Liga this season, sitting comfortably at the head of the table and charging towards a 36th top-flight title. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao's bid to remain in the hunt for a top-four finish in La Liga will continue on Friday evening, when they make the trip to the Spanish capital to tackle Getafe. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to complete their 10th Premier League double over their London rivals, Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge for Thursday's mouthwatering capital clash. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on a move for a Ukraine international winger should Raphinha depart the club in the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly hoping to shift two of their unwanted stars to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two clubs, including a Champions League semi-finalist, are reportedly preparing to battle one another for the signature of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk this summer. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Watford and Queens Park Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Luton Town's Luke Berry during the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to strengthen their grip on second position in the La Liga table when they travel to Catalan rivals Girona on Saturday evening. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to take another huge step towards winning the La Liga title when they welcome Cadiz to Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly not expecting any suitable offers to arrive for Marcus Rashford during this summer's transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa and West Ham United are reportedly among a number of Premier League sides interested in Sheffield United's Oliver Arblaster. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag has reportedly privately admitted that he does not know whether he will stay as head coach of Manchester United beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sheffield United and Hull City have reportedly joined the race for Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Marc Leonard ahead of the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United defender Alvaro Fernandez is reportedly set to join Portuguese giants Benfica in a €6m (£5.1m) deal during this summer's transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has talked up the qualities of goalkeeper Robin Olsen ahead of the first leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly denied suggestions that they held discussions with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim last week.