£20m striker suggests he is ‘prepared’ for possible Manchester United move in January
Santos striker Marcos Leonardo is confident in his ability to play for a top European club, with Premier League giants Manchester United showing interest in the Brazilian forward.
Following the path of previous talents like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes, Endrick de Souza, and the soon-to-be Barcelona-bound Vitor Roque, the 20-year-old center-forward from Santos appears poised to become the next emerging Brazilian star to make a significant transfer.
Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport earlier in the summer indicated that Manchester United have been closely monitoring Marcos Leonardo, and they are not the only ones, with Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma among the clubs also expressing interest.
Santos seems willing to let him pursue his European dream once the Brazilian season concludes in December, as stated by director Alexandre Gallo.
Additionally, there’s a chance that Leonardo might leave with the Golden Boot award, as he’s competing with Tiquinho Soares for the top spot in the scoring charts, having netted 20 goals in 40 games across various competitions.
Marcos Leonardo himself believes he is well-prepared for the transition to Europe, given his extensive experience at a young age playing in high-level competitions with Santos, including the Paulistao, Brasileiro, Copa Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, and Sudamericana.
His time as the “number nine” at one of the world’s prominent clubs has been crucial in his development as a top-tier professional athlete.
He is eager for a fresh challenge, and Santos’ reported £20 million asking price is unlikely to deter Manchester United, who may be seeking another elite-level center-forward to complement Rasmus Hojlund.
Leonardo expressed his readiness to join a great club and compete in a prestigious European championship, noting that other young players have already made similar moves.
“I feel prepared to play for a great club and in a great European championship. Naturally, I see other young players who have already moved.”
Said Leonardo.
