Milan's sporting crisis could open the door for Rafael Leão to move to Barça

The 2024/25 season of AC Milan could be described as a sporting failure. Although the 'rossoneri' will finish the season with an award on their shelves - the Italian Super Cup - they did not fare particularly well in the rest of the competitions:

1. UEFA Champions League: eliminated in the 'play-off' for the round of 16 by Feyenoord (1-2 on aggregate)
2. Coppa Italia: they lost 0-1 in the final against Bologna

The hardest 'blow' was taken in Serie A, a competition in which, with one matchday to go, they are in ninth place, with the maximum aspiration of being able to reach seventh place. A real blow for the Milanese team who, by managing between these positions in the standings, has officially sealed their absence in European competition (Champions, Europa or Conference League).

A sporting 'stick' that would lead to a major revolution at market level for AC Milan, a club that, having a shaky sporting project and not having the showcase of European competition, would see several of its stellar names explore options to try their luck in another team.

Barcelona remains attentive to the situation of Rafael Leão at AC Milan

That is where FC Barcelona must be especially attentive with a specific name: Rafael Leão. The Portuguese has been mentioned a lot as an object of desire for the 'culés' to reinforce the left wing.

An operation that could gain more strength due to the arguments previously exposed and the fact that the Portuguese striker is represented by Jorge Mendes, a famous agent who enjoys a good relationship with the Catalan team, being key in previous operations carried out by the 'culé' club, such as when the loans of João Cancelo and João Félix were obtained in the summer of the 2023/24 season.

At this point, the Portuguese international, for example, has already ruled out entering into a move to Saudi Arabian football, an environment that was presented as one of the great competitors with Barça for the incorporation of Rafael Leão. He recently made that statement in an interview with 'Icon Magazine', in which he admitted:

"I still have many goals to achieve: I want to continue having fun and playing at a high level"

The signing of the Portuguese winger: A challenge for the 'azulgrana' club?

However, Leão, who apparently likes Joan Laporta and would be delighted to join the sporting project of FC Barcelona - therefore, the 'culé' sports management has him on the radar of possible options to reinforce the left wing - could be a complex transaction to address for the 'azulgrana' team.

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First, due to the economic aspect: the Portuguese, who has a contract with AC Milan until June 30, 2028, it is clear that he will not leave San Siro for a price that is precisely accessible. As reported in 'CalcioMercato', the sale cost of the Portuguese would be between €70-80 million as a minimum.

Leão is of interest to several big names in European football

Beyond that, Barcelona would have to deal with other teams that seem to be interested in Rafael Leão, such as Liverpool or even Atlético de Madrid, a club that, as commented in 'DAZN Italia', would have made a first approach for the Portuguese attacker to try to incorporate him next season. However, this interest has not translated into concrete movements.

Be that as it may, what is clear is that if the Catalan team ventures to try to make the incorporation of Rafael Leão to strengthen the offensive front, the operation will not be especially easy. He is a player who responds to the profile of winger sought in the 'azulgrana' team, with a lot of dribbling, overflowing, speed and goal.