On March 22nd, we carried a report from Calciomercato, who explained that Rafael Leão’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has ‘received a phone call’ from Manchester City for the AC Milan star.
It was also explained the Cityzens manager, Pep Guardiola, is a long-time admirer of the 22-year-old.
A month later, Italian journalist Fabio Santini explained that Manchester City ‘want’ the forward and the parties involved will try to find an agreement for the transfer.
The Premier League winners’ interest in the Portugal international is further backed up by La Repubblica.
Although big clubs across Europe have been after the former Lille man, the most pressing interest Mendes has received is from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Guardiola’s presence, under whom the English champions have several trophies, and the club’s ‘status as a perennial aspirant to the Champions League are strong weapons of seduction’ for the player.
Manchester City’s priority is to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. However, his potential arrival would ‘not exclude’ a deal for Leão, for a ‘very rich club’ like the Citizens.
City and PSG could offer a deal in excess of €6m to the player, while Milan are ready to raise Leão’s wages to €4m [plus bonuses].
The Serie A side’s owners are reportedly in the process of transferring the ownership to Investcorp. If the latter were to buy Milan, then the club’s new management will have to decide on whether or not to offer a further improved deal to Leão.
For now, Manchester City are in the picture to sign the Portugal international, and it seems Guardiola’s influence combined with the club being a main contender to win the Champions League every season are the two ‘strong weapons of seduction’ to convince Leão for the transfer.
