Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

Manchester United eye €100m Serie A star who could transform the Red Devils’ attack

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 26, 2025 9:34 AM ET

Manchester United eye AC Milan star Rafael Leao but risk upsetting squad balance

Manchester United’s transfer discussions have turned lively again as the club continues to search for the right balance in their frontline. After a busy summer with several big-money signings, the Red Devils still seem unsatisfied with their attacking options.

Reports from Fichajes have claimed that the club has now set their sights on AC Milan forward Rafael Leao. The Portuguese attacker possesses the pace, strength, and creativity to torment the opposition defenders. At 26, he stands at the peak of his career and often changes the course of a match with one decisive run.

United have followed him closely for months. They have watched the Portuguese winger grow steadily and perform consistently in the Italian league. However, such interest comes with a heavy price. AC Milan could demand around €100 million for their star.

That figure could make even Manchester United hesitate after their major spending this summer. The Italian side will not easily agree to sell one of their key players. Leao holds a central role in their attack, and they depend much on his presence.

Arsenal have shown interest in the winger too, which creates more competition for United for his signature. Still, United’s growing pursuit makes everyone realise that they are ready to spend more on their attack after the summer of 2025.

We reported earlier that Manchester United could land Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher for €40m in 2026, while the club is preparing a €70m bid for Athletic Club star Oihan Sancet. All these reports are a clear indication that the Red Devils are planning big for the upcoming transfer windows.

Spending Smart or Spending Excessively?

We feel that Manchester United must rethink spending another €100m on Rafael Leao. The club has already spent more than £200 million this summer to rebuild their attack with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. If United go on to sign another expensive forward, it could disrupt the balance of the squad.

Instead of chasing new players, the management should focus on helping the new arrivals settle. They must give them time to build strong connections on the pitch. The club needs to strengthen the midfield, which still lacks creativity and control.

Without doing that, if they go on to spend another fortune on one position, it would drain resources and weaken other key areas. That mistake could repeat the imbalance that hurt United in the past. Careful planning, not another massive signing, should guide their next step. Buying Leao might thrill fans for a short while, but it would not fix the deeper problems that the team must solve first.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: