Manchester United will reportedly look to sign 26-year-old Portuguese international Rafael Leao from AC Milan in the summer transfer window.
A report by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed that Barcelona and Manchester United are interested in AC Milan forward Rafael Leao. The two European heavyweights are eager to bolster their offensive units by signing a versatile wide attacker ahead of the 2026/27 season.
However, the reigning La Liga champions are behind Manchester United in the battle for Leao’s signature, as the Red Devils are better-placed financially to land him. Meanwhile, the AC Milan winger’s valuation has fallen in the past year, and a move away from San Siro may materialise for only €40-50 million.
How has Rafael Leao fared at AC Milan so far?
Rafael Leao has become a household name since joining AC Milan from LOSC Lille in August 2019. The 26-year-old hit the ground running at San Siro, and he has made significant progress at the Serie A club in the last half a dozen years, with his form being synonymous with the Italian outfit’s fortunes.
Leao has not been at his best this season, managing only ten goals and two assists in 26 outings thus far. Nevertheless, the Portuguese international remains a hot property in the market, with several European giants, including Barcelona and Manchester United, vying for his signature ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
A man in demand
Rafael Leao has been on Manchester United’s radar for a long time. The continued interest is understandable, as the Red Devils want a new left winger as they prepare to compete on four fronts next season. So, Manchester United must have two top-notch options for each position, and Leao can be the alternative to Matheus Cunha on the left flank.
As for Barcelona, it is unclear if Marcus Rashford will complete a permanent move to Spotify Camp Nou in the coming months. While Manchester United and Barcelona will hold crunch talks to hash out a plan for a summer deal, it behoves the Catalan giants to keep their options open.
However, with Manchester United having better financial ability to match AC Milan’s valuation, Barcelona will face a tall order to land the 26-year-old Portuguese international. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Leao.
