‘Would be fantastic’, ‘the perfect Sterling/Jesus replacement’ – Man City fans react as the club ‘opened talks’ with Jorge Mendes to sign €70M-rated winger

Manchester City are taking an interest in AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, and have ‘opened talks’ with the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, according to a report from Italy.

The 22-year-old AC Milan winger is having an excellent season with 12 goals and 6 assists across all competitions, and rumours are circulating about interest from abroad.

There are several top-tier clubs who are keeping an eye on Leao’s development given his explosion in his third season for the Rossoneri.

In a recent reports, it’s been mentioned that Manchester City are among clubs hoping to land AC Milan striker, amid his sensational season in Serie A.

Pep Guardiola is reported to have ‘fallen in love with’ the Portuguese winger and might try persuade City to launch a bid in summer.

According to the latest information provided by journalist Nicola Schira, Manchester City are said to be ‘really interested’ in signing AC Milan winger, Rafael Leao.

It has been mentioned that Pep Guardiola’s side opened talks with his agent Jorge Mendes, but AC Milan would not want to sell him and ask €70M at least.

With the Portuguese forward’s current deal set to expire in 2024, it is stated that Milan are currently working on a contract renewal for the former Sporting CP talent, and want to give him two more seasons and a salary of €5m net per season including bonuses.

Leao is a forward, comfortable playing out wide or in a central role. The versatility of Leao could be useful for Guardiola, as he can operate all across the front line.

At 22, the Portuguese star has got the potential to become one of the top goal-getters in European football as long as he can improve his numbers with each year.

He has been compared to fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, with former youth team coach Tiago Fernandes saying: “Rafael is the best player in the history of the Sporting Academy. At youth level, he was better than Cristiano Ronaldo,” he told L’Equipe (via GOAL).

The report was shared on Twitter and it attracted plenty of attention from Manchester City supporters.

He could be our Sterling replacement… pic.twitter.com/fLcfajBh2I

— ꅐꆂꂑꁕ¹⁷ (@17woid) April 18, 2022

“I really hope we sign him”
Credit: @philda59

“I’d take this lad. All day, every day.”
Credit: @Komps4

“Sterling out, Leao in 🤔.”
Credit: @DeBlueLou

“Yeah, so Sterling has to be sold if we want Leao.”
Credit: @madvillain666

“genuinely the perfect sterling/jesus replacement.”
Credit: @Bxrnardo20

“Signing Haaland+Alvarez and topping it off with him would be fantastic. But Man City do not have any muscle in the transfer windows these days. So, we will end up with Alvarez as false 9.”
Credit: @ManCityNumbers

“This tells me Sterling and Jesus may both be gone this summer”
Credit: @CityzenAmerica

“Haaland Alvarez our the two strikers that sporting player is the midfielder then LB well idk…. Only way we get this guy is in a Jesus swap deal”
Credit: @MCFCADAM123