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Former Italy international slams asking price for potential Marcus Rashford replacement

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Dale O'Donnell | Last updated 4/10/24

Former Italy international Cassano doesn’t think AC Milan star Rafael Leao is worth the money being demanded for his signature this summer. The forward has been linked with a move to Manchester United as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford should the club let their academy graduate go after an underwhelming campaign.

There is never a shortage of stories when it comes to Manchester United and the transfer window. We will see media outlets across the world increase their volume of MUFC-related stories as a result. From rubbish headlines that aren’t worth your time to scoops shared across social media from reliable journalists such as Fabrizio Romano.

One of the big questions this summer will be whether should United cash in on Marcus Rashford, who has failed to replicate his form of last season when he hit the back of the net a whopping 30 times. He became the first United player to hit 30 goals in all competitions in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Almost 12 months on and Rashford is yet to break into double figures for goals scored this season.

PSG have been interested in Rashford for years and could look at the idea of signing him to replace Kylian Mbappe, who is Real Madrid-bound this summer. This would lead to United looking at Rashford alternatives in the transfer market.

Nico Williams and Antonio Nusa both have high potential, but AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is another highly-rated wide player worth keeping an eye on too. Unless you agree with former Italy, Roma and Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano.

Cassano rates Rashford highly and doesn’t think Leao is fit to lace his boots, never mind sign for United to replace the England international.

Leao is an explosive player but he has his lengthy goal droughts – like Rashford – and we should be looking for a talent with more consistency. For instance, the Milan star went five months without a single Serie A goal – from September to the end of February – this season.

Cassano told Rai Sport: “I continue to think (Leao is not a top-level player. Because, if I look at Rashford, as a winger last year he scores 26 (sic, 30) and plays in a wonderful league.”

The biggest standout problem I can see with Leao is his £150m release clause. That is a crazy transfer fee for a player who has never broken the 20-goal barrier in one season, let alone the 30-goal one.

“Since the league in Italy is not good, the problem is that he thinks he is a phenomenon,” Cassano added. “He’s a good player who has great physical strength.

“Now, he’s worth 120, 130, 140 million euros? What are we talking about? We’re talking about a normal player who has physical strength.”

This is why United need to be careful what they wish for… Rashford is a fantastic player and I would much prefer to see him at his best for United than signing an inconsistent star like Leao.

Leao has made 27 Serie A appearances this season – registering six goals and nine assists. In the Champions League, the Portugal international found the back of the net once in five matches.

This article first appeared on Stretty News and was syndicated with permission.

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