AC Milan set £51-60m asking price for Leao as United target eyes Old Trafford move

AC Milan are prepared to sell Rafael Leao for a fee in the region of £51-60 million, according to Sky Sport Italia, with Manchester United among the clubs monitoring the Portugal international ahead of the summer window.

The figure was settled upon by Milan and Leao’s representatives in a recent meeting, and would represent a profit on the £42.4m the Italian club paid Lille for the winger in 2019. Milan would prefer a permanent sale but are also open to a loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer.

Leao, 27, is currently with Portugal at the World Cup 2026 and has made no secret of his intention to move on. Speaking to Sport TV, he said: “I think I gave Milan everything I could give. It is a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through difficult moments. I am happy to have left my mark on the club’s history. Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they want, the goals they want to achieve. And I also want to take on a new challenge in a new league.”

United’s interest in Leao comes as the club continues to reshape its squad under new head coach Michael Carrick, who was appointed on a two-year deal. The forward line has been identified as a priority area, with Leao’s pace and directness on the left wing seen as a potential fit for Carrick’s system.

In midfield, United are also tracking Atalanta’s Ederson in a deal reported to be worth £35m, though that move is unlikely to be finalised until Brazil’s World Cup campaign concludes. The departures of Casemiro and the long-term injury to Manuel Ugarte have left the club short of options in central midfield.

Separately, United have tied down goalkeeper Dermot Mee to a new two-year contract. The 23-year-old, whose previous deal expired this week, has made 27 appearances for United’s under-21 side but is yet to feature for the first team. He has had loan spells at Altrincham, Trafford, Runcorn Linnets, and Witton Albion.