AC Milan are ready to sell Rafael Leao to Barcelona to fund a summer move for on-loan forward Joao Felix.
Felix signed for the Serie A side on loan from Chelsea in January and is off to a good start, convincing the club to consider a move to sign him permanently, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The outlay would be considerable, though, and may require the sale of Leao. Otherwise, the Rossoneri could offload Theo Hernandez this summer to avoid losing him for free when his contract expires the following year.
Felix and Milan boss Sergio Conceicao share an agent, Jorge Mendes, who facilitated the move in January, according to the report. The attacker has already impressed the club’s supporters, scoring in last week’s Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Roma, and could continue the club’s tradition of fielding world-class attacking players.
Leao has struggled for form this season, scoring nine goals in 34 appearances, opening up the possibility of a summer move. The winger turned down a move to Saudi Arabia in January but that position could be reevaluated should Barcelona or another top club return in the summer. His contract at San Siro runs until 2028.
Felix and Leao will be hoping to join forces for Milan between now and the end of the season at least, though their only start together so far came in Wednesday’s disappointing 1-0 Champions League defeat at Feyenoord. Turning that tie around in the home leg on Tuesday is the immediate priority, followed by qualification for European football via Serie A.
