Rafael Leao offered to shock Premier League club this summer

Leeds United were sensationally offered the opportunity to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

Leao went public with his desire for a ‘new challenge’ in June and said he’d be ‘very happy’ if a Premier League club came knocking for his services.

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Such was Leao’s desire to play in the English top flight, talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs revealed his agency put out plenty of feelers to a number of clubs, one of which was Leeds.

“Rafa Leao was actually offered, believe it or not, to Leeds United along with Manchester United and Arsenal,” Jacobs said on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan with Adam Catterall and Carlton Cole.

“The magnitude of the deal, the finances, the appetite and all of that, it doesn’t appear that anything is going to advance. My expectation at the moment is Leao might end up in Turkey.

“But there was basically a ring-around from Leao’s agency to several Premier League clubs, and Leeds were one of them.”

Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have both been recently linked with a move for Leao, who has been at Milan since 2019 and has two years remaining on his deal.

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In his time with the Rossoneri, Leao has been named in the Serie A Team of the Year on three occasions and was declared the competition’s Most Valuable Player for the 2021/22 campaign, coinciding with Milan winning the league.

Despite being a winger by trade, Leao predominantly featured as a centre-forward last term for Milan, registering nine goals and three assists in 31 appearances.

But the club record arrival of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain would likely see a return to the wing for Leao under new manager Ruben Amorim, who takes over from Massimiliano Allegri.

And Amorim has wasted little time in warning Leao that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side amid the Portugal international’s desire for a fresh start.

“I have the feeling that all the players are working very well,” Amorim said.

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“Rafa is lucky to be at a club like Milan, so he must be happy.

“I feel he is happy and motivated.”

Who else could Leeds look to sign this summer?

Although Leeds may not have the financial capacity to fund a deal for Leao, Jacobs confirmed the club are still active in the market.

According to Jacobs, Leeds have ‘looked at and held some talks’ with Marseille forward Igor Paixao, although Aston Villa are also understood to be interested.

“Leeds could look for another number nine, a source of goals,” Jacobs added.

One player who could fit the bill on that front is Chelsea striker Liam Delap, who may be available just one year on from joining the club.

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Jacobs noted Leeds made an enquiry for Delap last summer but were beaten to his signature by the Blues.

He added no formal talks between Leeds and Delap have commenced this summer, with Everton and Newcastle believed to be sniffing around the striker.

Leeds have already recruited Harry Wilson and are poised to land goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City.