Manchester United’s new minority owners Ineos are planning a statement signing this summer with the club interested in a deal for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group completed their 25% purchase of the Red Devils earlier in the campaign and have taken over football operations at Old Trafford.
A restructure of the hierarchy will see Omar Berrada arrive from Manchester City as CEO in the summer, while deals are close to being agreed for Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth to join as sporting director and Southampton’s Jason Wilcox as technical director.
Plans will then begin on recruitment as the Red Devils look to end a poor recent record in the transfer market.
Spanish outlet Fichajes is claiming that Manchester United are considering breaking their transfer record to land Leao from Milan, with the Portugal international possessing a release clause of around €145m (£124m) in his contract at the San Siro.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also like Leao, who has 12 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season.
The 24-year-old has evolved into one of Serie A’s best talents since arriving at Milan from Lille and was named the division’s Player of the Season as the Rossoneri won the Scudetto in 2021/22.
United’s interest in Leao comes amid doubts over the long-term futures of Marcus Rashford and Antony, who have each struggled for form this season.
Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season to win the club’s Player of the Season award but has failed to replicate those performances during the current campaign.
He has only eight goals and was dropped for an FA Cup clash with Newport earlier in the campaign over a disciplinary matter. PSG are long-term admirers of the England international and could make an approach with Kylian Mbappe set to leave the French champions in the summer.
