AC Milan are planning to listen to offers for winger Rafael Leao at the end of the season amid interest from Barcelona.
Barcelona have been long-term admirers of the Portugal international, who has been plying his trade with AC Milan since 2019. The attacker has a lengthy contract at the San Siro Stadium but is now not considered unsellable, thanks to his dip in performance levels this season.
According to a report from Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are ready to start negotiations for Rafael Leao from around €80 million. Barring Barcelona, the speedy forward has been attracting interest from the cash-rich Saudi Pro League.
Leao, 25, has endured a hugely inconsistent season just like most of his Milan teammates, registering five goals and as many assists in 22 Serie A appearances. The Portuguese has also made four goal contributions in 10 Champions League appearances, though, the Rossoneri’s continental dream ended earlier this week following a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Feyenoord in the play-offs.
Rafael Leao to Barcelona—Should the club make a move?
Rafael Leao has become one of the standout figures in Serie A in recent years. The Portuguese’s directness, speed, dribbling, unpredictability and flair have established him as one of the best wingers in the continent. His ability to play on both flanks and through the middle as a No.9 fits perfectly into Hansi Flick’s system at Barcelona.
Barcelona are enjoying a fantastic first season under Hansi Flick, eyeing an unprecedented quadruple having already lifted the Spanish Super Cup by beating arch-rivals Real Madrid in the final last month. Despite injuries, Flick has done an amazing job and deserves a lot of credit.
The likes of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have been super impressive in the wide areas, tormenting defences with their pace, unpredictability, directness and guile. However, beyond the duo, Blaugrana lack quality depth in wide areas—someone who could push them or replace them if one of Raphinha or Yamal gets injured.
This is where signing a player of Leao’s quality, class and experience would make sense for the La Liga leaders. The ex-Sporting CP man has proven himself in Serie A and is now at the perfect age to test himself at a higher level. A move to Barcelona would allow him to do that while unlocking his true potential under Flick’s watchful eyes.
At 25, one would assume that the Portuguese’s best years are still ahead of him. This would make the prospect of having Rafael Leao, Raphinha and Yamal together at Barcelona a tantalizing prospect next season, providing goals and assists in equal measure to the team.
Splashing close to €80 million may look steep, but when considering Leao’s profile, experience, world-class ability, versatility and European pedigree, Barcelona would make a great long-term investment. Now that Milan are seemingly ready to part ways with Leao at the end of the season, the Catalan giants must pounce on his signature in the summer by which time they will have formulated the machinations of registering more players and also the financial structure of the deal.
