Report: Newcastle to take on Man City in bid to sign striker who’s better than Cristiano Ronaldo

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According to CalcioMercato, Newcastle are now set to battle Manchester City and Arsenal to sign AC Milan striker Rafael Leao in the summer.

All three clubs will be on the market for a new striker before the start of next season. Everyone expects Newcastle to make a few statement signings if they stay up and Leao could well be the one.

The AC Milan star, managed by super-agent Jorge Mendes, secured an eye-watering £32 million (Goal) move to the San Siro when he was just 20 years old in 2019. He has played 100 times for the Rossoneri so far and has directly been involved in 38 goals in all competitions.

The upcoming summer window could well be his chance to make a big move and Newcastle are set to be an option.

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Newcastle want to sign Rafael Leao

Newcastle currently have Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Joelinton up top.

The latter has been transformed into a midfielder while the Englishman has had his fair share of injury issues. Wood, on the other hand, is expected by many to not be a regular for Newcastle beyond the end of the season.

If Howe gets the Magpies to safety, he will likely be given a transfer war chest in the summer. He will look to strengthen a number of positions and Leao at striker would be a sensational signing.

The Portugal international has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in all competitions this season. He is a star in the making and he’s destined for a big move sooner rather than later.

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Better than Cristiano Ronaldo

Leao came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon, the same club that produced Cristiano Ronaldo. His coach there, Tiago Fernandes, believes he’s the club’s best-ever academy product, even better than CR7.

He once said, as per Goal: “I met him when he was 14 and few people understood his way of playing. He was doing things with the ball that no one could do. He’s the best player in the history of the Sporting academy.”

If that doesn’t excite Newcastle United fans, nothing else can. However, with Arsenal and Manchester City also keen on Leao, it will not be easy to get him.

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