Arsenal will need to sign a wing-forward ahead of next season to further complement Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal have seemingly already identified this player, and have potentially eliminated Chelsea as being a stumbling block.
According to Italian news outlet Tuttomercato, Chelsea are willing to compete to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan. To secure his services a transfer could cost upwards of £100million, with £105million bids expected to be launched.
Considering the stardom of Leao, and Arsenal’s need for more forward reinforcements, Edu can throw his hat in the ring, as he did previously. And there is an extra incentive to do this as AC Milan could already be on the search for Leao’s replacement.
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According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, AC Milan will make a bid to sign Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle. They want an initial loan with an option to buy. Both Saint-Maximin and Leao play in the same position.
These reports come after Leao said: “Experience in a new league? Yes, in the future… but now I’m 100% focused on AC Milan — it’s a top club and I’m under contract there. I like the city too.
"I watch many games. This year, I like Arsenal — they’re playing very well," he said speaking to Speaking to RDPAfrica via Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal reportedly registered interest in Leao early last season as Italian outlet La Repubblica claimed that the Gunners had turned their attention to the AC Milan forward for the summer transfer window. It is a deal that Edu could look to revisit, as Arsenal could be short in the wing positions going into next season.
The Portuguese attacker had 13 goals and seven assists for Milan last season, and would certainly add more quality to Arsenal’s frontline. What makes him more of a desirable signing is that he can feature on either the wing position or as a lone forward, which highlights his versatility.
His excellent performances last season helped his Milan side to lift the Serie A trophy and beat their fierce rivals Inter Milan to first place. Leao's importance to this success was highlighted by the fact that he won Serie A player of the season.
The race to sign Leao is starting to heat up as the summer approaches. Arsenal can put themselves in a great position if they maintain their Premier League dominance come May.
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