Man City could make 'concrete move' for £87m Serie A star at the Etihad | OneFootball

Manchester City could look to make "concrete moves" for Rafael Leao, having been following the winger for "several weeks", Italian journalist Rudy Galetti told GIVEMESPORT.

Leao has been subject to much interest from big clubs in Europe and Galetti expects City to be in the mix for his signature, should he leave AC Milan this summer.

Manchester City transfer news - Rafael Leao

According to a report on the MailOnline, Milan's Leao is on the radar of Pep Guardiola at City.

The report reads that City have been "closely monitoring" Leao for some time, with a view to a summer move in mind.

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Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GMS that City would "be in the conversation", should Leao look to leave Milan at the end of the season.

Chelsea themselves were said to be interested in the wide-man, with a reported £86.5 million bid rejected by Milan for Leao in the summer transfer window.

It comes amid mass speculation surrounding Leao's future in Italy, with La Gazzetta dello Sport claiming the Portuguese international has a "frosty relationship" with the Serie A side (via Goal).

Milan themselves struck back almost immediately, posting a statement to their 8.3 million Twitter followers that read: "With regard to the article published today by the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport entitled: 'Leao Milan total rupture', AC Milan would like to clarify that the negotiations with Rafael Leao have not been interrupted."

It's believed Milan remain confident about extending Leao's contract at San Siro, with the winger having now entered the final 18 months of his current deal.

However, should Leao depart Milan in the summer, it's expected City will be waiting to pounce on the 23-year-old forward.

What has Rudy Galetti said about Leao to Man City?

A league champion with Milan less than 12 months ago, it's easy to see why so many big clubs are fawning over Leao's signature.

On the promising winger moving to City, Galetti said: "Man City have been following the evolution of Rafael Leao’s situation for many weeks.

"In the coming months, they might decide to make some concrete moves for him.”

Why are City so keen on Leao?

Right now with City, they lack any real clear width. While technically gifted, the likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden all tend to operate within inside positions.

With Leao, City would land an orthodox left-winger, bringing a touch of much-needed balance to the Blues' often lopsided left-hand side.

What's more, Leao has proved himself as a consistent performer at both domestic and European level.

WhoScored, Leao has notched up a rating over 7.0 in both Serie A and the Champions League for Milan this season.