Rafael Leao: Why Man United may have a tough decision to make about £43m transfer | OneFootball

It is the worst-kept secret that the Red Devils’ transfer priority this summer has been to revolutionise their midfield.

That revolution has already begun, with an Ederson deal agreed and two more midfielders expected to follow.

Yet while a huge chunk of Manchester United’s transfer budget is earmarked for midfield, there may still be room for other deals, and the left wing is another area of interest.

Manchester United have no natural left-winger at the club, and there is growing recognition that this needs to change.

Rafael Leao transfer opportunity

Interestingly, reports relayed by The Peoples Person suggest Rafael Leao could be the opportunistic left-winger target the 20-time English champions turn to.

Leao wants out of AC Milan, and with the Serie A outfit reportedly willing to let a player of his calibre leave for as little as £43 million, it is a deal that looks too good to ignore.

The Portuguese whiz, whom Zlatan Ibrahimović praised for bringing “magic” to the pitch, has already hinted at a willingness to move to Old Trafford. However, INEOS are yet to act on his transfer, and while they may be weighing that decision, they have received a transfer warning.

Leao has issues

Italian expert Paolo De Paola, via Tuttomercatoweb, has explained why a player of Leao’s profile may not be what Manchester United need in their dressing room.

“I believe there’s a group within Milan, led by Leao, that hasn’t helped the coach much,” said De Paola, reacting to Leao’s claim that head coach Massimiliano Allegri was playing him out of position.

“Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, and Tomori, who also raised eyebrows in the last match.

“Allegri’s excellent management of the players hasn’t been seen; he was betrayed in the very last match to qualify for the Champions League.”

Those comments find an echo in Sky Sport presenter Fabio Caressa’s reaction to Leao’s remarks about life under Allegri:

“I think when Leao said he gave Milan his all, the response would have been: ‘We haven’t noticed in the last three years,'” Caressa noted via TMW.

INEOS have a tough decision to make about Leao

As gifted as Leao undoubtedly is, and he may well just need a fresh start to rediscover his best form, there remain genuine question marks surrounding him.

His ability is not in doubt. However, for many, it is his character that poses the bigger concern. Much of the opposition to signing him stems not from scepticism about his quality but from doubts about his character.

Whether Manchester United choose to overlook those concerns remains to be seen, but it is a tricky decision INEOS must now make.

Featured images Marco Luzzani via Getty Images

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