Manchester United could pull off one of the coups of the summer, according to national reports - with their interest in AC Milan winger Rafael Leao potentially seeing the Italian giants being open to a sale.
The Red Devils have a huge rebuild on their hands once the Premier League curtain falls in May. Whoever their new boss may be must work alongside sporting director Jason Wilcox to finally push the club back into regular top four contention, something they have flirted with more and more in recent weeks under interim boss Michael Carrick.
And that could see them land Portuguese star Leao, according to reports, with the Red Devils keen on bolstering their wide ranks given the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo on the right this season.
Man Utd 'Paying Close Attention' to Leao Deal
Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan
The report by the Daily Mail states that the left-winger market is one that United will pay 'closer attention to' within the coming months, given that the club will likely stick to their back-four system next season - regardless of if Michael Carrick is in the dugout.
With that in mind, the publication's sources state that AC Milan would consider the sale of Leao to the Red Devils, despite his superstar status at the San Siro and the Rossoneri's title challenge to city rivals, Inter.
Leao, 26, joined AC Milan in 2019 after a solid season at French outfit Lille, and although he endured a slow start to life in Italy, it was from 2021 onward that he blossomed at the San Siro. He's hit double figures in each campaign since in all competitions, with a career-best 16 in the 2022-23 campaign, and his best ratio has come this season with eight goals in just 18 outings.
With a further five goals for Portugal from 43 caps and Roberto Martinez describing him as 'one of the best players in the world one-on-one', he's got experience on the international stage, having won the Nations League over the summer, and his Serie A win in 2022 saw him voted as the league's Footballer of the Year and MVP.
United Need an Adequate Replacement for Marcus Rashford
man utd marcus rashford
United have exiled Marcus Rashford in a similar role, and he's doing well at Barcelona, meaning that clubs will likely be lining up for his signature in the coming months.
That could see United turn to Leao in the summer, and with 78 goals in just 278 games for AC Milan, he's proven himself as a goalscoring winger.
It's unclear as to what the Red Devils need just yet, depending on who their new boss is and if Rashford does depart permanently. But if Milan are willing to sell Leao, undoubtedly a deal could be done if United see fit.
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