Manchester City are reportedly in the lead to sign AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao. With the Italian giants eager to hold onto the Portuguese star.
According to CalcioMercato, the reigning Premier League champions are keen on the 22-year-old. With the report stating that Milan are ‘clinging’ to the forward heading into the January transfer window.
The youngster has impressed for Milan this season. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic labelling Leao as a striker with ‘a great future’ ahead of him as per Sempre Milan. However, despite City’s interest, a departure looks unlikely.
As per the report, Milan, who paid £32m for Leao in 2019 as reported by Goal, are keen to tie the striker down to a new contract. Moreover, agent Jorge Mendes is keen to tie the striker down to the Italian giants for the long term.
Leao’s contract with the Rossoneri expires in 2024, with the two parties all aiming to extend this to 2026. And with the striker more than happy with staying in Milan, City have their work cut out for them if they are to sign the youngster.
Indeed, the Manchester giants could look for a striker in January. Moreover, as it stands, Leao would be a hard player to convince given Milan’s form in Serie A and the club’s stance on the 22-year-old.
Haaland should be City’s priority over Leao in 2022
A player to lead the line should be City’s main priority in 2022, and whilst Leao has the potential to be a top striker, the Portuguese attacker is far from the finished article. Whereas Erling Haaland would be perfect for Pep Guardiola’s side.
After all, the Borussia Dortmund striker is already one of the best in his position in the world. And with Haaland having a set fee in 2022, the Bundesliga star makes more sense for City than Leao, who could logistically be harder to sign.
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