Tusport - News - Romano: Only World Cup heroics can revive Leão to Man Utd, Arsenal

Fabrizio Romano has outlined the only scenario in which Manchester United or Arsenal could move for Rafael Leão this summer: a statement World Cup for Portugal that reignites elite interest after a flat club campaign. Speaking to time2play, Romano stressed that the Portuguese winger has publicly declared his cycle at AC Milan to be over, granting two interviews to underline his desire to leave despite having no firm agreement with another club. According to Romano, such open brinkmanship typically follows a sealed deal elsewhere; in this case, however, Leão is gambling on himself. Those close to the player are surprised by the timing, but the 26-year-old believes the conditions for success at San Siro no longer exist. While there have been concrete but timid calls from Turkey—with sizeable numbers discussed—Leão’s dream pathway remains the Premier League or LaLiga. He has long admired Manchester United and Arsenal, yet the bar to trigger action from top Premier League clubs is high after a disappointing season by his standards. Romano’s view is clear: only a World Cup masterclass alongside Cristiano Ronaldo would propel Leão back to the top of English shortlists. In other words, international form must reframe the narrative that club form has dulled. Any potential move will also hinge on Milan’s internal situation, with the Rossoneri working through management and coaching decisions that could reshape their stance on outbound players. For United, a wide forward with pace and one‑v‑one threat remains an ongoing recruitment theme, but budget discipline and current priorities complicate a marquee bid. For Arsenal, the depth behind Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli is strong, making an ultra‑premium winger a strategic rather than urgent play. At present, there are no advanced talks with English clubs, no agreement in place, and no green light from Milan. Leão’s camp is banking on a summer window that changes quickly if he delivers on the biggest stage. Until then, interest from England’s elite is on pause—watchful, but conditional on the kind of international surge that turns heads across the Premier League.