Manchester United like Santos striker Marcos Leonardo but the battle is heating up with the Brazilian has reportedly in talks with two of the Red Devils’ Premier League rivals.
The good news, for Erik ten Hag and co, is that neither Brighton and Hove Albion nor Brentford appear to be Marcos Leonardo’s dream destination.
Despite the superb track record both clubs can boast when it comes to developing young talent – Brighton’s reputation with South American up-and-comers is particularly impressive – one of the brightest attackers in Brazil appears to have his sights set a little higher.
The Daily Mail reported back in May that Manchester United were keeping a very close eye on the £16 million-rated Leonardo. Of course, United would invest a cool £64 million in fellow 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund a few months later. But with Anthony Martial’s future uncertain and that of Mason Greenwood too, there should still be room at Old Trafford for a forward of Leonardo’s potential and instincts come 2024.
Manchester United must make Marcos Leoanrdo call
Santos president Alexandre Gallo has already indicated that Leonardo will be allowed to leave when the Brazilian season finishes before Christmas.
‘He agreed to wait (until January),” Gallo says, via Football Italia. “We increased his salary and set up some rules allowing him to leave in the next transfer window. Assuming, of course, that the offer is interesting for Santos.”
Premier League Brazil claim that Leonardo has since been contacted by both Brentford and Brighton. The Brazil U20 international – who has 15 goals in just 13 games at that age group – has his reservations about joining Thomas Frank’s Bees, however.
Another Moises Caicedo situation
Mere suggestions of Brighton’s interest, meanwhile, should be enough to tempt Man United to turn their interest into something more concrete.
The Seagulls, after all, appear to have something of a Midas Touch when it comes to bringing future superstars to the Amex, while painful memories of that Moises Caicedo saga – United missing out for just £4 million two years before the £115 million midfielder became the Premier League’s most expensive ever player – remains a lesson the Red Devils would benefit from learning from as the battle for Leonardo’s signature heats up.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
