Liverpool have been linked with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao in recent months.
Back in March, Calciomercato claimed the Reds were eyeing the 22-year-old forward.
More recently, La Repubblica (via Milan News) claimed Liverpool were one of several clubs in pursuit of Leao.
Jurgen Klopp currently has one of the best front lines in the world at Anfield.
However, Sadio Mane’s Liverpool future is uncertain amid links with Bayern Munich.
The Senegal international’s Anfield contract expires in 2023, as will those of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Therefore, it’s not surprising to see Liverpool reportedly keeping tabs on other forwards.
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As well as the Reds, the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle are reportedly eyeing Leao.
Now, Footmercato has claimed that Manchester City have thrown their name in the hat.
The French outlet claims the Citizens could ‘go crazy’ to try and sign the reported Liverpool target.
City reportedly see Leao as a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling, who has been linked with other clubs.
Footmercato also claims Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Leao.
However, Milan don’t seem to be in any mood to negotiate for their player.
“We consider Rafael Leao a key, untouchable player,” Paolo Maldini told Gazzetta dello Sport, via Footmercato.
“He is not for sale.”
The French outlet also claimed ‘there is talk of an upcoming offer of over €100m (£85m)’ from the Bernabeu.
“The best player in the history of the Sporting academy”
Leao scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for Milan last season.
He got 11 goals and 10 assists in Serie A en route to the 2021-22 Scudetto.
Leao came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon, the same club that produced Cristiano Ronaldo.
His coach there, Tiago Fernandes, believes he’s the club’s best-ever academy product, even better than CR7.
In 2019, he told Goal.com: “I met him when he was 14 and few people understood his way of playing.
“He was doing things with the ball that no one could do. He’s the best player in the history of the Sporting academy.”
Leao has been dubbed the Portuguese Mbappe in the past.
And former Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi previously labelled him ‘spectacular‘.