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

4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with Getafe over a second loan spell for Mason Greenwood. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland has taken a swipe at former Manchester United man Roy Keane after scoring four goals in Manchester City's 5-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly prepared to offer defender Jarell Quansah a new lucrative long-term contract. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 32 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season concludes with a meeting between SBV Excelsior and NEC at Van Donge & De Roo Stadion on Monday evening. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has insisted that Arsenal "will win" the Premier League title if his Manchester City side drop points in any of their remaining three matches. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gary O'Neil has admitted that his Wolverhampton Wanderers side were "no way near at the level" to test Manchester City in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of captain Bruno Fernandes for Monday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be bidding to return to sixth position in the Premier League table when they head to Selhurst Park on Monday evening to tackle an in-form Crystal Palace outfit. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have won the 2023-24 La Liga title with four games to spare, securing the famous trophy for the 36th time in their history. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona produced a remarkable turnaround to claim a 4-2 win over Catalan rivals Barcelona to secure Champions League football and hand Real Madrid the La Liga title. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City remain within touching distance of Premier League leaders Arsenal after securing a dominant 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois revealed his delight at making his first appearance of the 2023-24 campaign in Saturday afternoon's La Liga clash with Cadiz. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta lavished praise on Kai Havertz for the Germany international's performance in Saturday's 3-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk David Raya's clean sheet in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon has seen the Spain international secure the Premier League Golden Glove award for the 2023-24 campaign. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford and Fulham earned a point each in Saturday afternoon's goalless draw in the Premier League at the Brentford Community Stadium. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have moved three points clear of the Premier League relegation zone courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Burnley have been left five points from Premier League safety with just two games left courtesy of a 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Phil Foden and Ederson are both fit to start for Manchester City in this evening's Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both at risk of seeing their end-of-season ambitions dashed before their eyes, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur lock horns in Sunday's Premier League main event at Anfield. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth to boost their hopes of claiming their first Premier League title in 20 years. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City are relegated from the Championship, the latter going down despite a final-day win over Norwich City. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have recorded a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town to seal promotion to the Premier League. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After leapfrogging their London rivals in the Premier League table on Thursday evening, Chelsea host fellow European outsiders West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will attempt to reach a notable milestone in Sunday's Premier League home clash with Tottenham Hotspur. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident that Son Heung-min will sign a new deal at the club. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is reportedly pushing for his club to sign Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva during this summer's transfer window. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison is reportedly one of the players who could be sold as part of Ange Postecoglou's summer clearout. 4 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides at opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig table clash on Monday evening as Konyaspor host Fenerbahce at the Torku Arena.