The 26-year-old’s declaration is likely to put United on high alert as Michael Carrick’s side look to strengthen their squad ahead of their first Champions League season since 2023-24. Leo is reportedly available for a bargain fee of around £43 million this summer after the Italian giants were forced out of the Europa League. Leo has always been linked with a move to the Premier League, particularly Chelsea, with Old Trafford the latest to emerge as a potential destination, with United understood to be actively searching for a new winger this summer.
“I’m proud to have made history with AC Milan, but I want a new chapter. I feel ready to play in another league. I gave my best for Milan, but it’s time for a new challenge,” he told Sport TV Portugal.
The 26-year-old has scored nine goals and provided three assists for Milan this season during a tumultuous season for the Serie A giants. Leo was primarily used in the center as a striker, appearing on the left in just three of his 29 league games. However, it was from the wings that he produced his best football, scoring 61 goals and providing 56 assists in 208 games.
If United’s recruitment team are keeping an eye on Leo, they will have to revisit the 2024/25 season to witness the winger’s most impressive display from the left. There he recorded double-digit assists (10) and scored eight goals. He matched his numbers 12 months ago, contributing to nine goals and setting up his team-mates 10 times.
The forward previously said he became a United fan after watching Cristiano Ronaldo. He said on Cernucci’s podcast: “Of course I like[Manchester]United, because my idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, so I used to watch them a lot back then. I also like Arsenal.”
Despite the season ending just seven days ago, United appear to be wasting no time in the transfer window to complete the signing of Ederson from Atalanta. Carrick’s impressive spell as caretaker manager helped lead the club to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification, but United’s new manager has already made his ambitions clear for the upcoming transfer window.
He said: “The beauty of the next transfer window is that it’s always the biggest thing in the world for everyone and I think it’s the most important transfer window in history for any club. To be honest, that’s the nature of how it’s born and I think again as a football club we want to keep moving forward. We certainly are. As a football club we want to keep moving forward.”
“I think there’s an acceptance that we’re at this stage and the dynamics and balance of our direction, where we end up in the league and where we end up in the league is obviously there’s a little bit of work to do with some players leaving, but this time it’s no more important than the last game. It’s in front of us as a football club to make the most of it.”
