Santos forward Marcos Leonardo emerges as a summer transfer target for Manchester United, according to a report.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Santos forward Marcos Leonardo.
The 20-year-old progressed through the youth system at his Brazilian club, and he has now represented the Black and Whites on 141 occasions, scoring 42 goals and registering 10 assists in the process.
Leonardo is currently in action for Brazil Under-20s at the Under-20s World Cup, scoring three times at the competition, and his form is allegedly attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
According to the Daily Mail, Man United have been scouting the youngster over the last year, and the Red Devils are now weighing up a move during this summer’s transfer window.
The report claims that Arsenal are also keeping a close eye on his form at the Under-20s World Cup, in addition to Newcastle United and West Ham United.
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“Every player who wants to be successful needs to be prepared for pressure. I play for a big club in Brazil, so all the time you live with pressure,” the forward said in an interview with The Mirror in 2022.
“I am happy with the recognition in Brazil and now outside. But I’m very down to earth. I realise I need to keep working to grow even more. First of all, I want to make history with the Santos shirt. Winning titles, putting my name in the club’s top players gallery. To be the top scorer in the competitions I play.
“Then I want to manage to get to the Brazilian national team. I’m doing well in the youth categories, but my focus is on having the chance to represent my country in a World Cup, wearing the number 9 shirt.
“I believe these are my two biggest goals at the moment. I want to play in Europe, but I see that I have to complete stages before any kind of opportunity to do that.”
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Leonardo also revealed, during the same interview, that he was keen to play in the Premier League at some stage in the future.
“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,” he added.
Scouts from Chelsea have also reportedly been watching his performances, and Santos are expected to receive offers off the back of his performances at the summer competition.
Man United are preparing to move for a big-money centre-forward this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen both thought to be targets.
However, with Anthony Martial potentially leaving, and Wout Weghorst set to return to Burnley following an unsuccessful loan spell, another striker could arrive in the upcoming market.
