Barcelona will reportedly look to sign Rafael Leao from Serie A giants AC Milan if the finances permit them to launch a big-money move.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Rafael Leao is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are in the market for a wide attacker heading into the summer transfer window. And the AC Milan talisman has emerged as a viable target, although his high price tag might rule them out of the equation.
The Rise and Rise of Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao has become one of the most highly sought-after players in the world in the last few years. He was an inconsistent performer during his stints with Sporting CP and LOSC Lille. But the Portuguese international has taken his game up several notches at San Siro in the last half a decade.
The 24-year-old was the leading light as AC Milan won the Serie A title in the 2021/22 season. While the Rossoneri might have struggled to reach the heights of the 2021/22 campaign, Leao has remained excellent. And he has been exceptional this term, contributing to 15 goals in 28 outings thus far, finding the back of the net six times while providing nine assists.
Leao’s progress at AC Milan has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs. Recent reports have linked the former Lille attacker with Premier League bigwigs like Newcastle United, Manchester City, and others. In addition, he is a target for Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.
Barcelona Want Rafael Leao
The reigning La Liga champions hold a long-standing interest in Rafael Leao. Jorge Mendes has also offered the 24-year-old Serie A winner to Barcelona. But a move has never materialised due to the Catalan outfit’s never-ending financial mess.
Barcelona’s continued interest in Leao is understandable, as the Portuguese international has the qualities to transform the team’s attack. But the financial situation means a summer move might not see the light of day. However, the reigning La Liga champions are not losing hope and will leave it late to see if they can raise the funds to land him.
Other high-profile prospective suitors like Manchester City and Real Madrid can easily beat Barcelona to the player’s signature. So, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can be competitive in the race to sign Rafael Leao.
