Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Juventus - San Siro, Milan, Italy - October 8, 2022 AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Manchester City are ‘ready’ to make a summer 2023 move for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Attacking abundance…
The Premier League champions are currently enriched with real depth in the attacking areas as top-flight clubs continue to struggle with Pep Guardiola’s scintillating brand of football.
No other team in the English top tier has scored more goals than City so far this season, thanks in part to the imperious form of marquee summer signing Erling Haaland, who already has a staggering 18 goals in 12 league games.
Alongside the Norway star, Guardiola has Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez at his disposal going forward in a real nightmare for their competitors.
Despite City’s numerous attacking options, though, sporting director Txiki Begiristain is seemingly always working overtime to bolster Guardiola’s squad even further.
The Latest: Man City ‘ready’ to make Leao move next summer…
Reports suggest that City and Begiristain are firmly in the mix to sign Leao, who is in line to feature for Portugal at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
The 23-year-old has been a key player at the San Siro for some time, prompting interest from the Sky Blues and other major clubs.
Journalist Rudy Galetti claims on Twitter that City are ‘ready’ to knock on Milan’s door for Leao next summer, alongside Chelsea and Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain.
The Verdict: Ambitious move…
Milan apparently value their ‘jewel‘ at no less than €120m (£105m), but if City were to move for him next year, Leao’s club may be forced to accept a lower offer.
The 23-year-old’s current deal expires in 2024, and if he hasn’t penned fresh terms by then, the Rossoneri would have to consider either selling him or else risk losing him for nothing soon after.
Called ‘world class‘ by members of the Italian press, no Milan player has attempted more shots or completed more dribbles per 90 than Leao this season (WhoScored), so it’s clear to see why a pursuit is firmly on City’s agenda.
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