Man Utd send scouts to watch AC Milan striker Rafael Leao while Erik Ten Hag plots summer transfer for £60m star

AC MILAN striker Rafael Leao is top of Erik ten Hag’s hit list for next summer.

The Manchester United boss is already putting together a dossier on possible targets, including the 23-year-old Serie A star.

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United had scouts at the San Siro on Tuesday night to watch Leao against Chelsea – as they did at the first Champions League meeting between the teams at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Portugal international Leao is gaining a growing band of admirers including two of United’s great rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

But ten Hag is a big fan of the quick left-footed player who can play down the flanks as well as through the middle.

Leao is in the final 18 months of his AC Milan contract and has so far turned down improved terms.

The Italians are offering him a raise to around £110,000 a week in exchange for signing a new five-year deal. But Leao has given no indication of this.

That has raised United’s hopes he could be available next summer, with mention of a fee of around £60m.

If Ten Hag did indeed bring him to Old Trafford, it would cast further doubt over the long-term future of French striker Anthony Martial in particular.

And SunSport announced last week that David Beckham’s Inter Miami are eyeing a sensational swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo in January.

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Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will be given another 12 months to prove they should be part of Dutchman Ten Hag’s makeover.

Both full-backs are in the last year of their contracts at United and will be able to speak to interested clubs on the continent in January.

Carrington insiders insist Dalot and Shaw want to stay and United’s option for a 12-month extension will ensure they don’t lose them for nothing if they fail to convince the manager.

United are looking to build on their Europa League victories over Omonia Nicosia and victory over Everton when they take on Newcastle at OId Trafford this afternoon.