FC Barcelona has turned its attention towards trying to sign highly-rated AC Milan forward Rafael Leao according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources in an exclusive report.
Barca has thus far failed to land Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams, as raising his Athletic Club release clause of $68.7 million (€62 million) including taxes is a difficult task during times of financial hardship.
The Catalans were able to hash out a deal for his Spain teammate Dani Olmo, though that involved less fixed money and variables to take the final amount RB Leipzig will receive for the former La Masia product past $60 million (€54 million).
If MD’s report is accurate, however, it is confusing that Barca would try to approach Rafael Leao in these circumstances.
The newspaper quotes the Portuguese winger’s asking price as $100 million (€90 million), but it is hoped that President Joan Laporta can make the most of his relationship with super agent Jorge Mendes to work something out with Leao’s Italian employers.
Mendes represents Leao at the San Siro, and though there are alternatives to both the 25-year-old and Williams elsewhere, such as Kingsley Coman and Federico Chiesa, Laporta wants to finish what has been one of the most underwhelming summer transfer windows in club history by making a marquee signing that would perhaps hush some of the grumbles that many Culers are beginning to have about his tenure and the dealings of Sporting Director Deco.
Laporta is said to be an admirer of Leao’s, just as he was of another Mendes client in Joao Felix.
After his loan at Barca finished on June 30, however, it now looks as though Felix is on his way to sign permanently for Chelsea from Atletico Madrid as part of a complicated operation which also – whether directly or not – entails Conor Gallagher heading to the Spanish capital.
Some potential developments that could help free up much-needed cash for Barca to deliver Leao include the potential exits of Vitor Roque and Ilkay Gundogan.
While the Brazilian is being linked to Sporting Lisbon, Gundogan could possibly rejoin his former club Manchester City in what would be a sensational return to the Etihad for the German.
