MX23RW : Thursday, February 6 01:46:44| >> :120:4937:4937:

Manchester United 'not interested in signing Rafael Leao'

Manchester United 'not interested in signing Rafael Leao'
© Reuters
Manchester United will not be moving for AC Milan's Rafael Leao despite the recent speculation, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly not planning a move for Rafael Leao despite the recent speculation surrounding the AC Milan forward.

Leao's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with the Italian champions facing a battle to keep hold of the Portugal international.

Chelsea were heavily linked with the attacker over the summer, and the Blues are believed to have had at least one bid for him turned down towards the end of the window.

Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had instructed the Premier League champions to move for Leao next year.

There has also been suggestions of interest from Man United, with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag allegedly wanting Leao and PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo as replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan on October 8, 2022© Reuters

However, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, the 20-time English champions are not currently interested in signing the Portuguese.

Plettenberg claims that Man United are instead focusing on bringing in a new centre-forward, with the club happy with their options in the wide areas.

The 23-year-old was on the scoresheet in Portugal's World Cup opener against Ghana on Thursday, coming off the bench to register in a 3-2 victory for Fernando Santos's side.

Meanwhile, he entered the tournament off the back of a strong start to the season with Milan, scoring seven goals and registering nine assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.

In total, Leao has managed 34 goals and 30 assists in 135 appearances for the Italian giants since making the move from Lille in the summer of 2019.

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their third goal on September 3, 2022© Reuters

Man United spent big on Antony during the summer transfer window, while Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga and Facundo Pellistri are also options in the wide positions for Ten Hag.

Ronaldo's exit has left the club short at centre-forward, though, and both Barcelona's Memphis Depay and PSV's Gakpo are being strongly linked with moves to the club.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen is believed to be a target, meanwhile, although the Red Devils are not said to be prepared to meet the Italian side's huge asking price, thought to be in the region of £86m.

Man United have also been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but Ten Hag's team are allegedly now out of the race for his signature.

ID:500779:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6168:
Written by
Matt Law

Rafael Leao future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Victor Osimhen

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli on November 1, 2022
Read Next:
Man United 'will not meet Napoli's asking price for Osimhen'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!