Milan's last campaign allows FC Barcelona to dream with Rafael Leao

With just over a week to go until the transfer market closes, FC Barcelona continues to exhaust its options to secure the arrival of a reinforcement for the left winger. The Barça entity wants a top player for the position and, with Kingsley Coman and Federico Chiesa in the mix, Rafael Leao has become the one chosen by the board to shore up a position that has been a priority for the club from day one. of summer.

In principle, the incorporation of the Portuguese star into Hansi Flick's squad seems difficult due to his role at AC Milan. The footballer is the great star of the 'Rossonero' team, the main stronghold of a team that is starting a new project this season under the command of Paulo Fonseca and that has the Portuguese as its top figure. At 25 years old, the forward is linked until 2028 with the Milan institution, but Can Barça is beginning to use all of his 'armament' to get him hired.

Jorge Mendes, Leao's representative and friend of Joan Laporta, would be acting as an intermediary in the operation and his role could be key. From the San Siro offices they would be demanding a figure close to 120 million euros for the transfer of the player, whose clause is valued at 150 'kilos', this being an inaccessible amount in the current economic reality of the culés. For this reason, the Catalans hope that the agent makes a move to lower the transfer price, although 'Il Diavolo' has remained firm in its intentions so far.

However, Milan has had one last gesture that allows the Barça entity to 'dream' of landing 'Rafa' in Barcelona. Through their social networks, the Rossoneri team presented their third kit for next season, awakening rumors about the Portuguese's future because he was not part of the campaign. The absence of the Portuguese 'crack' in the midst of his links to Barça is, to say the least, striking, and this detail from the Milanistas does nothing more than give 'wings' to a culé squad that would begin to get excited about having the Leao duo. Lamine Yamal in their ranks.

Welcome to Milan(ismo) 🩶🩷💚

Introducing the 24/25 @pumafootball x #ACMilan Third Kit ✨🤩#MadeWithMilanismo pic.twitter.com/lHBcN18P6p

— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 22, 2024

Barça covers its back

Beyond the hopes generated by this detail from AC Milan, the truth is that Leao's operation will not be easy at all. Due to the little time left in the transfer market, the 'Rossoneri' would have little room for maneuver to achieve a guaranteed replacement for their main figure, which is why they have been inflexible in their demands. Mendes continues trying to convince the club, but if he fails, the Barcelona fans are clear about their 'plan B'.

Federico Chiesa has won big at the Spotify Camp Nou offices in recent days and is the great 'low cost' alternative for the Catalan institution. The cost of signing him ranges between 10 and 15 million euros and the player, released by Juventus, is in the process of lowering his salary to wear Barça. For his part, the Kingsley Coman option is still not ruled out as it has Flick's approval. The Frenchman could arrive through a simple loan, although the main 'obstacle' is his high salary. However, the efforts of the culés are currently directed at Leao, and these movements are subject to what may happen with the Portuguese.