‘Time has come for transfer’: Agent opens door for £25m Manchester United target to move
MANCHESTER UNITED TARGETING BRAZILIAN STRIKER MARCOS LEONARDO
Manchester United is reportedly eyeing a move for Santos striker Marcos Leonardo, and the player’s agent believes ‘the time has come’ for the talented Brazilian to make the move to Europe.
Amid previous disappointments in securing high-profile signings, the interest in Marcos Leonardo presents an opportunity for Manchester United to potentially acquire a rising star.
Gazzetta dello Sport has linked the Santos international with a move to Old Trafford, estimating his value at approximately £25 million.
Regarded as a potential bargain, Marcos Leonardo has drawn comparisons to Premier League icon Sergio Aguero.
Impressively, the striker has notched 15 goals in 13 games for Brazil at the U20 level and an additional 21 goals in all competitions for Santos in 2023 (talkSPORT).
In October, Marcos Leonardo expressed his readiness for a new challenge in Europe, a sentiment shared by his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, who took over representation duties from the late Mino Raiola in 2022.
Pimenta stated, “Already in the previous transfer window, he had the possibility of being sold. But Santos’ sporting situation was very particular.
He accepted to stay because he wanted to help out until the end of the season. He didn’t want to leave because it wasn’t the right thing to do.
But (now), the time has come for the transfer. He wants to have a European experience, and his time will come this winter.”
The potential acquisition of Marcos Leonardo could provide valuable support to Rasmus Hojlund, currently one of the few recognized strikers available to manager Erik ten Hag.
Hojlund and the injury-plagued Anthony Martial have struggled to find the net in the Premier League this season.
United legend Paul Scholes highlights the challenges faced by Hojlund, emphasizing the need for effective service and crosses.
While Marcos Leonardo may alleviate some pressure on the striking department, addressing the broader issue of creating goal-scoring opportunities remains a managerial conundrum for Erik ten Hag, especially with the upcoming January transfer window having potential budget constraints.
