Liverpool are now being credited with an interest in signing AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao – but would face stern competition from Newcastle United.
That’s according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, who claim that interested in Leao is ramping up around Europe.
The report, as noted by Milan News, claims that Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City all fancy signing Leao.
Liverpool’s name is also mentioned in this list with the Reds allegedly casting admiring glances in the direction of the Portuguese star.
However, it’s suggested that the club making the most ‘decisive’ moves to sign Leao this summer is actually Newcastle United.
Newcastle may have big money to spend this summer with PIF’s investment and are now a major threat to Liverpool in the race for signings.
Whether they can tempt Leao – a player who will have Champions League ambitions – remains to be seen though.
Leao, 22, has been in fine form for Milan this season. In 39 games, Leao has racked up 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
Primarily deployed as a left winger, Leao can also play up front and has been compared to Thierry Henry by manager Stefano Pioli.
The Portuguese talent has real pace and looks set for a huge future – but a move to Liverpool seems hard to imagine right now.
Liverpool just added another left-sided attacker by signing Luis Diaz from Porto in January.
Add in that Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota can also play there and there just doesn’t seem to be room for a player of Leao’s profile.
Maybe if Mane’s contract situation isn’t sorted out and he leaves Liverpool, then Leao would make some sense.
A move this summer just doesn’t add up, and we would assume that Leao is Liverpool’s list for the future rather than for right now.
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