The left wing was one of the positions that FC Barcelona wanted to strengthen in the last summer transfer window. For this purpose, the Atheltic Club winger Nico Williams was their top transfer target, but there were some other options linked with the Blaugrana club too.
One such option that emerged in that window was that of the AC Milan winger, Rafael Leao, but getting him at that time was almost impossible. However, owing to his rocky relationship with his new coach at the Italian club, his future is getting highly uncertain and he is once again being linked with Barcelona.
Barcelona, and especially their President Joan Laporta, like the Portuguese winger a lot, and the club has its eyes set on Leao as they want to bring in a star player by the time Camp Nou is ready to be opened.
The winger has a €175 million release clause in his contract that goes till 2028, but it is clear that Barcelona would not pay such a high sum for him. Milan can allow the player to leave for around €80-90 million. This sum is also not within the Blaugranes’ reach today, but they are confident things will be better next summer.
Meanwhile, SPORT reports that Leao himself will be delighted to play for Barcelona, and would sign for the Catalan club with his eyes closed. However, for now, he has not really concerned himself with the rumors linking him to the Blaugrana club as he is aware of how complex such an operation would be.
Furthermore, the Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes can also be helpful for Barcelona in such an operation. The agent has very good relations with the Blaugrana top brass, and also has the legal authorization to manage a transfer for Leao, despite not being his agent.
