It has been reported for some time that Leao is on Bayern’s wish list to replace Leroy Sane following his move to Galatasaray. The German giants were rejected by Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz and have turned to the Portuguese winger, with Sport Bild reporting that sporting director Max Eberl has already spoken to him on the phone, after a secret meeting between Bayern and Leao’s advisors took place in Munich at the end of May
Nevertheless, there are still doubts among those in charge at the Bundesliga champions, mainly due to Leao’s occasional defensive shortcomings. In addition, the 26-year-old was not always a regular at Milan last season and mostly came off the bench during Portugal’s Nations League triumph. Ex-Bayern and Liverpool defender Babbel says it would be a bad idea to go after Leao.
I hope Bayern Munich doesn’t sign Rafael Leao, because he’s Leroy Sane 2.0,” the Euro 96 winner said in an interview with Sport Wetten Ohne Verifizierung. “You never see him play two good games in a row. That’s why I’m always surprised when his name comes up in the transfer window and he’s linked with a move to Bayern.
In fact, Leao did not have a particularly outstanding 2024-25 season. In 50 competitive appearances for AC Milan, he scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists. Reports have circulated about a possible swap deal with Barcelona, which could see Leao move to the Catalans in exchange for Ronald Araujo.
Unlike Babbel, however, Sky expert Lothar Matthaus still sees Leao as the perfect new signing for Bayern, saying: “Leao can play on the wing and in the centre of attack,” Matthaus wrote in his Sky column. Although Leao is said to be “not an easy guy,” the 64-year-old added that “every artist has their quirks, and he is a player who brings dynamism.
In addition to Leao, Bayern are also said to be interested in Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. A move for Williams is considered unlikely, as he is said to prefer a transfer to Barcelona and, according to Sport Bild, is demanding too high a salary for Bayern.
According to Bild, Barcola, 26, changed agents and will be represented from August by former professional Moussa Sissoko, whom Eberl knows very well. However, PSG insist they won’t sell him.
