Manchester United co-owner and INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified Rafael Leao as the key winger needed to establish a “world-class front line” for the club this summer.
As usual, the media has linked United with numerous attacking options for the upcoming transfer window, including names like Ivan Toney and Jonathan David. This broad search for strikers aligns with the current challenges at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial is expected to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires, with Monaco and Marseille reportedly interested in acquiring him. If Martial departs, United will be left with a shortage of forwards, relying solely on Rasmus Hojlund, who joined the club just last summer. Additionally, United need reinforcements beyond the striker position. With Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood unlikely to play for the club again, the need for another winger becomes apparent.
Instead of signing two players to fill these gaps—one for the striker position and one for the winger position—United could target versatile attackers who can perform well in both roles. Rafael Leao is one such player. According to TEAMtalk, which cites reports from Spain, Ratcliffe is interested in acquiring the AC Milan attacker this summer. United see Leao as the “missing piece” in their attack to create a “world-class” front line.
In October, The Peoples Person reported that United had been monitoring Leao, who had an impressive previous season with 16 goals and 15 assists. This season, the Portuguese star has continued to perform well, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in 27 Serie A matches. He also scored two goals in two Coppa Italia appearances and contributed three goals and two assists in just four Europa League matches, according to Sofascore.
However, signing Leao could be challenging for United, as the player signed a new contract with Milan earlier in the season, indicating his satisfaction with the Italian club. Ratcliffe might need to present a lucrative offer to entice Leao to Old Trafford. Moreover, with Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues looming, it remains uncertain how United will navigate the summer transfer window