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Man United, Man City 'set to battle' for £82.5m-rated attacker during this summer's transfer window

Manchester bound? Amorim 'in competition' with Pep for £82.5m-rated attacker
© Imago
Manchester United and Manchester City could reportedly battle for the signature of AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao this summer.

Manchester United and Manchester City could reportedly go head-to-head for the signature of AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao during this summer's transfer window.

The 25-year-old has scored nine times and registered seven assists in 36 appearances for Milan this season, while he has 67 goals and 52 assists in 246 outings for the Italian giants in total.

Leao has a contract at San Siro until June 2028, having penned an extension in June 2023, but there remains speculation surrounding his future, with Milan believed to be willing to cash-in during the upcoming market.

According to Fichajes, both Man United and Man City are keen on the Portugal international, with the Manchester duo potentially battling for his signature ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

The report claims that Milan are unlikely to entertain offers of less than €100m (£82.5m), making a deal incredibly difficult for Man United unless they can win the Europa League this season to secure a return to the Champions League.

AC Milan's Rafael Leao on August 17, 2024© Imago

Man United, Man City 'both keen on Leao'

Leao has scored five goals and registered five assists in 23 Serie A appearances this season, with Milan currently down in seventh spot in the table, one point behind sixth-placed Fiorentina.

The forward also managed three goals and one assist in 10 outings in the 2024-25 Champions League before Milan were sensationally eliminated in the knockout round playoffs by Feyenoord.

There is believed to be a €175m (£144m) release clause in Leao's contract, placing Milan in a strong position when it comes to any potential negotiations, but Leao is believed to be ready to push for an exit.

AC Milan's Rafael Leao on October 22, 2024© Imago

Are any other clubs interested in Leao?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona and Chelsea are also keen on Leao, with the latter in particular having a long-standing interest in the forward.

Barcelona are expecting to be in a financial position to make some big signings this summer, meanwhile, and space could be made in the squad if both Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati move on during this summer's transfer window.

Chelsea are well-stocked in the wide positions, but it is no secret that they attempted to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Man United in January, with the Blues in the market for another winger.

The London club have not been afraid to spend big in recent years, meanwhile, and bringing in a player of Leao's ilk could help them move closer to becoming challengers for the Premier League title.

As well as being an important player at club level, Leao has now made 37 appearances for Portugal, scoring five times and registering seven assists in the process.

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Written by
Matt Law

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AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates their first goal on February 14, 2023
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