Rafael Leao Eyes Manchester United Move Following Departure Announcement from AC Milan

Rafael Leao has expressed his intention to transition to the Premier League this summer, with Manchester United emerging as his favored club, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. This announcement follows the winger's confirmation of his departure from AC Milan, where he has played for seven years.

In an interview with Sport TV over the weekend, Leao stated, “I think I’ve given Milan everything I could give. It’s been a club that helped me grow a lot, that supported me in the tough moments. I’m happy to have managed to write my name in the club’s history.” He emphasized his aspiration for new challenges, saying, “Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they desire, [and] the goals they want to reach. And I, too, want to try a new challenge in a new league.”

By publicly declaring his desire to leave, Leao appears to be encouraging various clubs to express their interest while also pressuring Milan to facilitate his exit. He further hinted at a preference for Manchester United, sharing, “I often watch the Premier League. I like Manchester United, especially because of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is my idol, but also Arsenal is a team I follow on TV.”

Any potential transfer is likely to be postponed until after Portugal concludes its World Cup journey. Leao was included in Roberto Martinez’s squad last month and will embark on the tournament following friendlies against Chile and Nigeria, with their group stage opener against DR Congo set for June 17.

Although labeled as ‘world-class’ by former United player Nani, Leao's recent season has not been his most fruitful, recording just 10 goals and three assists in 31 appearances. His standout season came in 2022/2023 when he contributed 15 goals and 10 assists during Milan's Scudetto-winning campaign.