Manchester United ‘Not Interested In Signing Rafael Leao’

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 was 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.

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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.

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.

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.

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