Manchester United eyeing blockbuster move for Rafael Leao who is no longer happy at AC Milan | OneFootball

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford’s future continues to dominate headlines after his recent revelation that he wants to leave his boyhood club.

Since that infamous interview dropped, Ruben Amorim has excluded him from two matchday squads in a row and the Mancunian could miss the Wolves game as well.

His asking price coupled with his humongous wages means a permanent exit in January seems unlikely as most of the big guns are in no position to afford such a deal mid-season.

That is why a loan exit is being planned and in case that pans out, the Red Devils will need a replacement with Kaoru Mitoma‘s name recently mentioned as a potential option.

Leao not happy at Milan

His goals and assist numbers are not that good and United need someone more prolific if they are to climb up the Premier League table and Milan Live have claimed AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao could be an option.

The Portugal international has six goals and as many assists this term, far from the numbers he has usually racked up over the years. In the previous campaign, Leao had registered 15 goals and 14 assists.

In fact, he has been the epitome of consistency, managing to break the double digit mark for goals and assists three seasons in a row before the current campaign.

However, the report mentions that the Portuguese and Milan boss Paulo Fonseca are not on the best of terms and the left winger is determined to find an exit.

Barcelona are described as his prime suitors but apart from the Catalan giants, United, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are all interested in the 25-year-old and a summer auction is on the cards.

“In this first part of the season, Leao’s performance has been very inconsistent and his relationship with Paulo Fonseca is anything but idyllic.

“The Rossoneri attacking winger is no longer as happy as he once was in Milan and he is increasingly determined to leave Serie A to play elsewhere at the end of the season, no longer feeling like the protagonist of a project that initially intrigued him a lot.

Summer exit on the cards

“The next few months could be Rafael Leao ‘s last with the Milan jersey. Leao dreams of a new challenge and a project that gives him motivation and the Blaugrana intrigues him quite a bit. Barcelona itself is interested in the Portuguese and the management is carefully watching the evolution of the situation.

“Barcelona is not the only club interested in Leao. In addition to the aforementioned PSG, Arsenal and Manchester United are also on the trail of the Portuguese talent and a real auction is expected.”

Leao’s current deal with AC Milan is valid until 2028 and he has a market value of €75 million as per Transfermarkt. The Rossoneri are likely to ask for a lot more.

Whether INEOS can come up with that sort of money will depend a lot on outgoings, especially that of Rashford.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social