Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked in terms of the players they are interested in since the summer.
Frenkie De Jong was a target for the club, and Rafael Leao could be next.
United are looking for a forward to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who had his contract with the club terminated last week, and the AC Milan forward is on their radar.
Chelsea are still keeping an eye on the situation, as contract talks with Milan have yet to resume.
Rafael Leao, a Chelsea target, is being pursued by Manchester United.
According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson and ESPN in the Netherlands, Manchester United are interested in Rafael Leao and may make a move for him.
Cody Gakpo has been United’s primary target for some time. If the Gakpo deal falls through, Manchester United will turn their attention to AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Chelsea have been interested in Leao for some time, and the club are still monitoring the situation between the player and Milan as contract talks stall.
Rafael Leao is currently representing Portugal in the World Cup.
Any transfer will cost around £100 million for either club, and Chelsea are still more likely to sign the player due to Erik Ten Hag’s desire to sign Cody Gakpo.
It is not imminent for either club, but it is something to keep an eye on as January approaches and both clubs look for a forward.
Pirlo: Ronaldo planned an interview about MU
Andrea Pirlo believes that Cristiano Ronaldo actively arranged time to interview Piers Morgan to put pressure on MU before the 2022 World Cup.
Ronaldo shines in the first match of the 5th World Cup in a row.
“I think Ronaldo waited a long time to answer that interview. He prepared everything in advance,” coach Andre Pirlo told Diretta (Italy).
On November 14, Piers Morgan posted a video interview with Ronaldo, in which CR7 criticized Manchester United in all aspects. The stormy interview made him inevitably break up. Right before Portugal’s opening match at the 2022 World Cup, MU announced the termination of the contract with Ronaldo.
According to coach Pirlo, this is the plan that the former student has prepared in advance to devote himself to the World Cup. “I don’t think it affects the Portuguese team because even if Ronaldo doesn’t give that interview, the media will still ask him about United during the World Cup,” Pirlo said.
Pirlo currently leads Fatih Karagumruk club (Turkey). Before that, he led Juventus to win the Copa Italia and Super Cup in the 2020/21 season, a season in which Ronaldo scored 29 goals in 33 appearances. This is the last phase of CR7 playing for Juve before returning to MU.
Pirlo said he has no special secret to getting along with a big star like Ronaldo, while many coaches have struggled with this. Having been Ronaldo’s opponent when he was still playing, Pirlo naturally understands the personality of the Portuguese superstar.
“I really like Ronaldo. He has an interesting personality and is very professional. I think it’s important to find balance and empathy,” Pirlo said.
After being no longer with MU, Ronaldo immediately shone with a goal, helping Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in the opening match of Group H on November 24.