One of the stars of this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup could be on the move to Europe this summer.
Marcos Leonardo was the star performer during a below-par tournament for Brazil. The striker emerged with the Silver Boot after scoring five goals in five games and registering an assist.
It was not enough to prevent Israel knocking them out in the quarter-finals, but Leonardo did his stock no harm on the big stage with a host of scouts watching. And Mirror Football understands interest is expected to intensify after his performances at the competition.
It is understood that Roma, who were recently leading the race for his signature, Lazio and Sporting Lisbon are currently the top contenders to land the striker. However, Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are all reportedly interested.
The agency who manages Leonardo’s career, Dodici, has partnered with Rafaela Pimenta, the super agent responsible for the late Mino Raiola’s clients including Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba, who could broker a deal.
Leonardo has drawn comparisons with Sergio Aguero for his well-rounded game and goalscoring ability. He has already scored over 40 senior goals and played over 100 games for Santos despite only turning 20 in May.
His performances mean he is now Santos’ main asset, and with the famous Brazilian club experiencing some financial difficulties, now may be the time they look to cash-in. The Mirror understands a proposal worth between €15million (£12.9m) and €20million (£17.2m) would likely be accepted.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror last summer, Leonardo outlined his ambitions to achieve success at Santos and represent Brazil in a World Cup before eventually moving to Europe. Having taken a big international step this summer, a big move may be coming.
"First of all, I want to make history with the Santos shirt,” he insisted last year. “Winning titles, putting my name in the club's top players gallery. To be the top scorer in the competitions I play.
“Then I want to manage to get to the Brazilian national team. I'm doing well in the youth categories, but my focus is on having the chance to represent my country in a World Cup, wearing the number 9 shirt.
“I believe these are my two biggest goals at the moment. I want to play in Europe, but I see that I have to complete stages before any kind of opportunity to do that.”
Whilst the current front-runners for his signature are not English clubs, there remains a chance a Premier League side could swoop to land Leonardo. That would see him fulfil a major ambition having grown up watching Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and other big stars in England.
“I want to play in the Premier League one day,” he declared in 2022. “I watch a lot of games, and it is one of the main championships in the world. Not only for the competition among the teams, but also for the whole league. The proof is that English clubs always arrive in finals like the Champions League. It’s a competition full of big stars.”
