Leao accepts £51-60m Milan exit terms as United close in on winger

AC Milan have set a £51-60 million asking price for Rafael Leao following a meeting with the winger’s representatives, according to Sky Sport Italia, with Manchester United among the clubs tracking the 27-year-old Portugal international.

Leao, currently on duty with Portugal at the World Cup, has made no secret of his desire to leave the San Siro this summer. 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.”

A deal within the reported bracket would allow Milan to turn a profit on the £42.4 million they paid Lille to sign him in 2019. The Italian club would prefer an outright sale but are also open to a loan arrangement with an obligation to purchase permanently next summer, per the same report.

United’s interest in Leao forms part of a broader rebuild under new head coach Michael Carrick, who was handed a two-year contract earlier this summer. The attacking department has been identified as a priority area, with the club yet to confirm their first signing of the window.

In midfield, Atalanta’s Ederson remains the most advanced target, though his anticipated £35 million move cannot be finalised until Brazil’s World Cup 2026 campaign ends. The departures of Casemiro and a lengthy injury absence for Manuel Ugarte have left United short of options in the centre of the park, with at least one — possibly two — central midfielders expected to arrive.

On a separate note, United have secured the future of goalkeeper Dermot Mee, handing the 23-year-old a new two-year contract after his previous deal expired. Mee has made 27 appearances for United’s under-21 side but is yet to feature for the first team.