AC Milan want Martinelli as Rafael Leao replacement

AC Milan have reportedly identified Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli as an ideal replacement for Rafael Leao.

Portugal starlet Leao played a prominent role in Milan’s run to the 2021-22 Serie A title, and Chelsea unsuccessfully tried to prise him away from San Siro in the summer.

The 23-year-old has continued his strong form in the 2022-23 campaign with seven goals and nine assists from 20 appearances, and he also has two goals for Portugal at the World Cup, despite not starting any games in Qatar yet.

Leao is now regarded as one of the most in-demand attackers in Europe, and Chelsea continue to be strongly linked with the former Lille and Sporting Lisbon youngster.

Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on Leao if a move for PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo falls through, and he is only under contract at San Siro until 2024.

Milan are known to be trying to tie Leao down to fresh terms, but they are yet to reach an agreement with the attacker’s entourage and could come under pressure to sell in 2023.

Should the Rossoneri ultimately wave goodbye to Leao, Calciomercatoweb claims that Martinelli has emerged as a leading option to replace the Portuguese.

Martinelli arrived at Arsenal from the Brazilian fourth tier in 2019, and he immediately cemented his place in the first team under Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.

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The 21-year-old has already amassed 23 goals and 15 assists in 104 games for the Gunners in all competitions, including five strikes and two assists from 14 Premier League outings this term.

Martinelli’s form for the Premier League leaders earned him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad, and he earned plaudits for his performance against Cameroon in a 1-0 group-stage loss.