According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Sporting Lisbon attacker Rafael Leao.

What's the word, then?

The Sunday Mirror says that the highly-rated 18-year-old is attracting interest from all of the Premier League big guns, with the Red Devils' arch-rivals Manchester City willing to splash the cash to bring the teenager to England.

The Sunday Mirror says that Sporting have so far rejected all enquiries for the striker, who has only played four first-team matches for the Portuguese giants.

The report adds that scouts have flocked to watch Leao in action after hearing that he could be one of the brightest young talents in European football.

How has Leao done this season?

The Portugal U21 international has scored six goals in 11 appearances for the club in the UEFA U19 Cup and seven in 12 for Sporting's B team in his career, and that form has seen make five outings for the first team.

The speedy 18-year-old has scored two goals for them, including his side's goal in their 2-1 defeat on Friday night which the Sunday Mirror reports was watched by scouts of all of the top six clubs in the Premier League.

Would he be a good signing for United?

He certainly would be.

The 18-year-old looks to have a bright future ahead of him and is already making an impact for Sporting's first team, and the Red Devils should be picking up players like Leao who are still young with plenty of potential.

Given they signed Cristiano Ronaldo from the Portuguese club previously and have a good relationship with them, they may well be in pole position to bring the teenager to England.

Mourinho would certainly be pulling off a big masterstroke if he brings the talented youngster to Old Trafford this summer, and the 6ft 2in centre-forward could provide some much-needed competition for Romelu Lukaku up top.

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