Santos general manager Alexandre Gallo has confirmed that Manchester United target Marcos Leonardo “can leave” in January if certain conditions are met.
Both the Red Devils and Roma have been linked with the 20-year-old but Gallo says the player has been given a wage rise on the proviso that he remains with the Brazilian club until the New Year:
“All the protagonists of recent years have been sold by Santos. Marcos Leonardo understood the delicate moment and accepted to wait. We have increased his salary and have put in place some rules so that he can leave in the next transfer window, provided that it is interesting for Santos. I thank the player and his entourage for their understanding.”
The likes of Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel were sold to Chelsea during the summer transfer window and there was extra determination to keep Leonardo until the end of the Brazilian league season.
United are lining up an approach for the striker
Italian website Sportmediaset reported on Thursday that Erik ten Hag’s side have already made a €20m (£17.2m) offer, plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons, for the Brazilian Under 23 international.
United have essentially kept a bid on the table from the summer in the knowledge that Leonardo will be allowed to leave in the New Year.
Leonardo would likely be a backup for Hojlund
Earlier this year, it was reported that United were keen on signing two strikers, but they only managed to secure the services of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta before the transfer window shut.
It stands to reason, therefore, that they will be actively looking to reinforce their options upfront at the earliest possible opportunity. The club’s lack of depth has been demonstrated by the fact that Marcus Rashford was forced to play as a No.9 at the beginning of the season, while Anthony Martial has also provided cover during Hojlund’s spell out injured.
