Sources: Rafael Leao to Leeds update as offer to be accepted
Leeds United are still in the race to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao before the transfer window closes, sources have told Football Insider.
The 27-year-old is one of a number of players who will be allowed to leave Milan in the coming weeks, and Leeds are among the clubs to have been made aware of his availability.
While they still face competition from clubs across Europe, and his lofty financial demands have raised concerns, the Whites have not ruled out making a late move.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, as long as Leao is still available, there is a chance Leeds could make a move for his signature.
Despite the interest from elsewhere, the Portugal international is still waiting for an offer to leave Milan, and has left the door open for Leeds to swoop.
Daniel Farke has been keen to go after ambitious targets this summer, and Leeds could land a surprise deal for Leao should his other suitors fail to agree terms.
Will Leeds United make a move for Rafael Leao?
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 17 August that Leeds have not ruled out the possibility of signing Leao in the window's closing stages.
Despite the deal looking difficult to pull off, there remains a chance that the Portugal forward could make the move to the Premier League club.
However, much will depend on what other offers come in for Leao and whether Leeds can negotiate a deal which would be financiall viable for them.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It’s still a possibility for Leeds, because Rafael Leao hasn’t moved anywhere yet, he’s still at AC Milan.
"AC Milan are obviously open to letting him leave, and have been hawking him around in this transfer window as well.
"There's been talk that he's been offered to Man City, he's been offered to Man United, there's obviously been interest from some of the big Turkish clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
"So yeah, look, I would be very surprised if he does end up making that move to Leeds, just due to the finances and everything else around the deal.
"So I think if Leao does end up leaving Milan, it'll probably be to somewhere else."
Which other clubs are interested in signing Leao?
As previously mentioned, Leeds are far from the only club interested in signing Leao, as they face competition from rival clubs from across European football.
A number of clubs in the Premier League have also shown an interest in the winger, with clubs including Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal having been long-term admirers.
Brown told Football Insider earlier this summer that Man United had held talks with Leao's representatives and had shown an interest in bringing him to Old Trafford.
More recently, Turkish giants Galatasaray are emerging as leading contenders for his signature, with huge wages set to be on offer.
That interest from Premier League clubs has lingered, though, and his availablility on a cut-price fee as the window edges closer to its end could inspire late moves.