- Manchester United eye up Serie A winner
- Winger has just 10 goals this season
- United could snap him up for £60 million
With Manchester United looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 season, their attention has reportedly turned towards AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, with the Red Devils able to prise him away for around £60 million.
Leao has consistently impressed in Serie A across his seven seasons with the Italian giants. He has registered 80 goals in 287 appearances, while also playing a key role in Milan’s 2021/22 league triumph and their 2024/25 Supercoppa Italiana success.
During that 2021/22 campaign, Leao truly captivated. His close control, explosive bursts, and technical elegance lit up the league, as he not only drove Milan to their first title in 11 years but also claimed the Serie A Most Valuable Player award before being crowned Serie A Footballer of the Year across the 2022 calendar year.
This season, however, Leao has not been the same threatening force he once was. While he still delivers in front of goal—10 strikes in 27 matches—there has been a noticeable dip in that electric presence that once defined him at his peak.
Milan now appears open to a sale, with the club willing to entertain offers in the region of £60 million.
Man United Eyeing Rafael Leao
According to Mail Sport, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid are all monitoring the Portuguese winger, with each club exploring a summer move.
With Portugal among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup, Leao could play a pivotal role on the international stage—something that may not only elevate his standing among the elite left-wingers in world football, but also inflate his market value.
With just two years remaining on his contract, Milan face a narrowing window. Leave it too late, and his value begins to erode, with clubs circling for a potential bargain or even a free transfer further down the line.
Tensions may also be simmering behind the scenes amid suggestions that Leao and Massimiliano Allegri clashed, with the winger visibly frustrated after being substituted against Lazio on 15 March, before being omitted entirely from the squad for the following fixture against Torino.
Gazzetta dello Sport also reported a disagreement between the pair during a training session in the build-up to that match. Leao, however, dismissed the claims, responding to speculation on Instagram with a red cross—shutting down talk of any fallout.
Is Leao Worth It?
There is no denying Leao’s quality, but £60 million for a player who has surpassed 15 goals in a single season just once does raise questions.
He loosely fits the INEOS profile. At 26—turning 27 on 10 June—he is approaching his prime, entering what should be the most productive phase of his career.
But would United really commit that level of investment when alternative options exist?
For a slightly higher fee, they could pursue someone like Yan Diomande, potentially securing a player with greater long-term upside.
Add in that United will be spending the majority of their budget replacing the departing Casemiro, and the signing of the Portuguese winger may be just a little too rich for their blood.
