The unexpected rejection of Nico Williams to FC Barcelona brings Rafael Leao closer to the azulgrana team. At least that is what the Portuguese winger hopes, who insists to his agent, Jorge Mendes, to resolve his departure from AC Milan in the summer market as soon as possible.
The 'rossoneri' team hopes to start a solid sports project with Massimiliano Allegri on the bench, but will not play European competitions in 25/26 and Leao, who has a contract until 2028, believes that this is the ideal time to leave San Siro, where he has 70 goals and 62 assists in 260 official matches.
Rafa arrived at Milan in 2019 from Lille, being a complete unknown. The Almada native, however, has become one of the most lethal left wingers in Europe, with remarkable power and punch, although his performance is quite irregular mainly due to his character and poor relationship with the latest Milan coaches.
How much would Barça have to pay for Rafael Leao?
In that sense, Barça had already ruled out his signing, but the fiasco of the 'Nico Williams operation' radically changes the scenario. The latest information indicates that the 'rossoneri' team could give the green light to a transfer in the order of 75-80 million euros, although Leao's termination clause is 150 'kilos'.
Barça, for the moment, does not have that amount in its coffers. In addition, the salary of the Milan '10' (around 6.5 M€ net) will not be easy to fit into a team that still has to resolve the departure of at least five more players, including Ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen.
Deco is also doing everything possible to reduce the gap between Liverpool's economic aspirations and the azulgrana's economic capacity for the transfer of Luis Díaz. The other alternative as far as left wingers are concerned is Marcus Rashford, whose signing can even be closed via loan.
Bayern Munich also wants Rafa Leao
In any case, Rafael Leao keeps alive the hope of being able to reach Barcelona. The good relationship of Jorge Mendes with Joan Laporta, together with the need to give a market blow to forget the bitter drink that meant reopening the Nico Williams folder, give a slight illusion to the Almada native about his options of changing the 'rossoneri' shirt for the azulgrana one.
In addition to Barça, another club very attentive to the future of the Portuguese is Bayern Munich. The Bavarian team also wanted to sign the Athletic winger and, after the departures of Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller, needs to incorporate another striker. To top it off, Jamal Musiala broke his left ankle against PSG and will probably be out for the rest of 2025.
Milan, meanwhile, is waiting for the best offer for Rafa, aware of how difficult it will be to retain its figures this summer. tijjani Reijnders has already left for Manchester City and the next to leave could be the Portuguese international.
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