Manchester United are among the clubs who have been linked with a swoop for Santos wonderkid Marcos Leonardo.
The report stems from Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.
They claim that United are keen on the Brazilian and so here is a look at the lowdown on the potential signing…
Manchester United linked with Marcos Leonardo
The Brazilian season is played on a different calendar to United’s, so Leonardo has played 50 games this term, scoring 19 goals and laying on five assists across all competitions.
The report names Tottenham, Arsenal and Napoli as other interested parties in the frontman.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been linked, with Brazilian presenter Milton Neves claiming Leonardo is on his way to Anfield.
What they say
“This kid who plays for Santos is better than (Palmeiras wonderkid) Endrick. Endrick is good with the ball, but this Marcos Leonardo will be an ace,” predicts former Brazil international Neto.
“He’s been having a great season,” adds Ganso, who played for the Selecao between 2010 and 2012 (SporTV). “He is a goal-maker. I hope that he keeps improving, scores a lot of goals. He has technical quality. And the main thing: he knows how to score.”
Leonardo has also been dubbed the ‘new Neymar’, somewhat predictably for a promising Brazilian forward who is coming through the ranks at Santos.
He said in June: “I want to play in the Premier League one day. I watch a lot of games, and it is one of the main championships in the world.
“Not only for the competition among the teams, but also for the whole league. The proof is that English clubs always arrive in finals like the Champions League.”
United need forward reinforcements but it remains to be seen whether they take the gamble on a teenager, and there is clearly hot competition for his signature.
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