EXCLUSIVE: Real Madrid tracking Brazil wonderkid Marcos Leonardo
Jacque Talbot
- 9 Nov 2023 06:00 CST
- 3 min read
Marcos Leonardo is being tracked by Real Madrid ahead of the January window as the young Santos striker gears up for what will almost certainly be a European move in 2024, FootballTransfers understands.
The 20-year-old, who has also attracted the interest of Newcastle, is set for meetings in December that will determine his future. As previously revealed, super-agent Rafaela Pimenta has come on board with the player’s current Brazilian agency to oversee a transfer to an elite side.
Pimenta was spotted at the Santiago Bernabeu for Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Braga, though she has insisted that her visit was not business-related.
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Santos’ precarious position in the Brazilian Serie A may hold the key to whether a move for Leonardo takes place in January or the summer; if relegated in December, the forward is more likely to leave in the winter window.
In recent decades, Los Blancos have signed two high-profile Brazilians from the Serie A side, namely Rodrygo for a whopping €45 million in 2019/20 and Robinho for €24m all the way back in 05/06.
Leonardo set for move
Marcos Leonardo has become a sought-after commodity over the past year and he particularly impressed at the U20 World Cup in the summer. The 20-year-old's exploits for Santos - scoring 54 goals since breaking into the senior side in 2020 - have attracted European interest.
Jose Mourinho's Roma have been very outspoken about their desire to recruit the youngster, but, as mentioned, Newcastle United also recently emerged as potential suitors.
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Leonardo is still under contract in Brazil until 2026 but the expectation among sources is that Pimenta will engineer a move for him in 2024 with Santos demanding €20m for his services.
Indeed, Santos’ general director has already openly admitted that the player will be 'allowed' to depart after the conclusion of the current Serie A campaign.
