- Santos’ Marcos Leonardo will leave Brazil for the first half of January
- The 20-year old has been a target for clubs across the Premier League
- West Ham and Nottingham Forest both failed to take up summer offers
Marcos Leonardo, the Santos striker Marcos Leonardo’s agent has confirmed that the 20-year old will be leaving the club during the January transfers windows.
The 90min was revealed earlier in the month Santos were resigned that Leonardo would be leaving the club this winter. Clubs from all over the Premier League are making offers to acquire the gifted Brazilian.
In fact, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur have all scouted Leonardo in recent times. The Under-20 World Cup also gave Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur the opportunity to keep an eye on the striker.
Leonardo’s interest has grown in 2023. Brentford is considering Leonardo even if Ivan Toney remains at the club. Competition for strikers has increased dramatically.
As Rafaela Pimenta told , “He had already the option of selling him in the last transfer window.”
Santos had a very specific sporting situation. He agreed to stay to assist until the end season. He did not want to go because it was the wrong thing to do.
The time is now for the transfer. “He wants to experience Europe, and this will be his chance in the winter.”
Leonardo has excelled for Santos / ALEXANDRE SCHNEIDER/GettyImages
Sources confirmed to 90min, that Santos would demand approximately PS20m for Leonardo to leave the club. Leonardo has scored 21 goals in his 45 appearances this calendar year.
Leonardo’s popularity is not limited to the Premier League. Clubs in Europe also follow the player.
Roma remain interested in a Leonardo deal. In an effort to push through his move to Rome, the Brazil youth international quit training at Santos to try and force a deal. He eventually returned to playing as a starter.
Porto, Sporting CP and other Portuguese clubs have expressed a wish to sign Leonardo by January.
