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Manchester United’s pursuit of Rafael Leao may have taken a complicated turn. The Red Devils are looking for a new left winger this summer, even though midfield is expected to be at the forefront of their reinforcement efforts.
Casemiro’s decision to leave once his contract expires at the end of this season has only accelerated these plans. However, the Premier League giants are also in the market for a new striker as they are yet to replace Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman moved to Barcelona on loan at the start of this season and has been on fire in Spain so far. However, he is unlikely to be reintegrated into the United squad and all signs point to a permanent departure this summer.
A recent report from The Peoples Person named Leao as a possible candidate to improve United’s attack this summer. A new update on the player’s future has now been released.
Leo happy in San Siro
According to journalist Daniele Longo via Caught offsideLeao is happy at AC Milan and does not want to leave at the moment. The Portuguese forward is under contract until 2028, and the previous report suggested the Rossoneri could let him leave for €75-80 million.
However, it now appears that the Serie A giants are keen to keep Leao and are already planning to tie him down to an extension. AC Milan want to build their project around the 26-year-old and only an exorbitant offer will convince them to part with their prized asset.
Leao has mainly played as a striker this season, scoring nine goals and two assists in 21 games in all competitions.
Rafael Leao statistics: 2025/26 season
| Competition | Performances | Begins | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards | Minutes played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | 19 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 3 | – | 1,264′ |
| Italy cup | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | 107′ |
| Total | 21 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 3 | – | 1,371′ |
Source: Transfer market.
Leao’s attacking attributes and his ability to operate in different attacking roles make him an attractive option for the Red Devils. However, it now seems that it will be difficult to take him away from the San Siro.
How has United’s attack performed this season?
United invested heavily in the front line before the start of the season, signing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Their efforts have so far been rewarded, with only Manchester City (56), Arsenal (56) and Chelsea (48) scoring more Premier League goals than the Red Devils (47), who also have a game in hand.
Mbeumo was the top choice, finding the back of the net ten times and setting up two more from 22 games. Cunha and Sesko have also been impressive of late, but that hasn’t stopped the English giants from pursuing upgrades.
Bryan Mbeumo stats: 2025/26 season
| Competition | Performances | Begins | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards | Minutes played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 21 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 3 | – | 1,813′ |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | – | – | – | 45′ |
| Total | 22 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 3 | – | 1,858′ |
Source: Transfer market.
Following the departures of Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, United are lacking a speedy winger who can add a new dimension to their attack. Leao meets the requirements, but it now seems increasingly likely that the Portuguese will continue his stay in Italy.
Final thoughts
Leao has the ability to make a difference at the Theater of Dreams, but if he is settled at AC Milan there is no point in pursuing a deal. Instead, United could turn to Premier League-proven targets such as Morgan Rogers.
Featured images Marco Luzzani via Getty Images
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