Arsenal are leading the battle to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to reports in the Italian media.
The Portuguese international has been compared to Gunners legend Thierry Henry by his manager Stefano Pioli, and he has been in good form this season, racking up 10 goals and contributing six assists in 27 appearances for the Serie A leaders.
Leao is, however, believed to be locked in talks over a new contract and supporters on Twitter believe that his agents may be using Arsenal’s name to get a better deal for the player:
Would be a dream, but never going to happen
— Zayan 🇵🇸 (@ZayanK04) February 15, 2022
He just wants a new contract. As usual, everyone uses an Arsenal link to get a nice pay rise
— Vishal Relwani (@vishalrelwani) February 15, 2022
This link makes no sense. He's not even a cf
— jared (@RL_Jared) February 15, 2022
Being used by player agents in Italy again 😢
— Austin (@Imdeceasedyo) February 15, 2022
Yeah I've seen this movie before he is about to sign his new deal
— Lion (@brianllion) February 15, 2022
Arsenal are linked to everyone. It annoying
— Augusto Caesare gloriosissimo (@FonJosue) February 16, 2022
The 22-year-old predominantly plays off the left flank, which isn’t an area that Arsenal really need to strengthen. In addition to Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, both Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe can also be deployed there if required.
There is no doubting that Leao has massive potential, but it would be a surprise if the Gunners do make a formal approach for him in the summer.
