If a report from CalcioMercato.com is believed to be true, AC Milan are willing to listen to offers for Rafael Leao amid interest from Everton. But the Toffees are not alone in the hunt with Wolves keeping close tabs as well on the young Portuguese forward over a potential summer transfer.
An impressive Ligue 1 campaign with Lille earned the 22-year-old a summer move to Milan back in August 2019. He has featured regularly ever since but has found the net only 13 times in 73 appearances across competitions. Although his numbers should improve with time, the Serie A giants are keen on an attacking shake-up after securing a Champions League berth for the first time in seven years.
Leao has represented his nation in various youth ranks including the U21s enduring a 1-0 defeat recently against Germany in the UEFA EURO U21 final. He holds the potential to break into their senior squad but, at the same time, must exhibit more consistency while spearheading the attack.
Everton, meanwhile, are yet to appoint Carlo Ancelotti’s successor following the latter’s egress to grab the Real Madrid offer. Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is the frontrunner for the Goodison job despite the ongoing protests from the Evertonians. Most of them do not fancy the Spaniard who earned fame with their bitter rivals, however, a decision needs to be made at the earliest to concentrate on summer transfers.
Why Everton Should Beat Wolves And Secure His Services
A serious head injury to Raul Jimenez derailed Wolves’ campaign the last time out and the management would have that in mind while conducting business this term. Fábio Silva is too young to lead the line weak in week out, whereas Willian Jose has returned to Real Sociedad after a dreadful loan spell at Molineux. Jimenez is set to return next season to take over the ‘number 9’ role, but the club’s affiliation with Portuguese football might hand them a boost to rope in Leao.
Having said that, Everton are building an ambitious project at Merseyside under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri. Marcel Brands is working tirelessly to snap up exciting names since replacing Steve Walsh as their director of football and his influence can’t be ruled out either considering the necessity of a promising centre-forward to challenge and cover Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the long run.
Joshua King has been released already after failing to make any significant contribution following a winter transfer from Bournemouth. The time is ticking for Cenk Tosun who could not settle in due to form and fitness concerns, however, the mishandling of Moise Kean must not be repeated with Rafael Leao who would cost Everton around £24m.
