Manchester United have joined the race to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to reports in the English media.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with Chelsea and Manchester City in recent weeks, but Erik ten Hag’s side are also keeping tabs on his situation.

Leao will have only a year left on his contract next summer and, with the player still refusing to sign an extension, Milan may well be forced into selling for a cut-price deal at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old does have a €150m (£130m) release clause, but the Serie A champions could have to settle for a fee in the region of £60m.

United are not expected to have any funds available for transfers in January so a bid for Leao would have to wait until the campaign is over, but ten Hag is believed to be keen on recruiting the Portuguese forward as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial.

The United boss is a fan of the Frenchman but he has acknowledged that an alternative will need to be found due to Martial’s poor fitness record.