Rafael Leao of AC Milan
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
FC Barcelona are in the market for reinforcements in the attacking unit heading into the summer transfer window.
A new centre-forward is their top priority as Robert Lewandowski seems headed towards the exit doors. At the same time, Deco & co. are also on the lookout for a new left-winger as Marcus Rashford is unlikely to be signed permanently.
As a result, the name of AC Milan and Portuguese forward Rafael Leao has once again surfaced as a potential target for Barça.
The 26-year-old has been a subject of interest for the Catalans in the past, and is believed to have been offered to the club on multiple occasions.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (h/t Carpetas FCB), Barcelona have not made any move towards signing Leao so far.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan
Rafael Leao could leave AC Milan. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Indeed, the reigning La Liga champions and current league leaders have not initiated negotiations with either AC Milan or the forward’s entourage to explore the possibility of a move.
It is true that Leao is a player that Barça president-elect Joan Laporta likes. However, at this point, his signing is not being treated as a priority at the club.
AC Milan, for their part, would be open to parting ways with Leao this summer, and he could be available for a fee of around €50 million.
However, despite Laporta’s admiration, Leao is not seen as a key target at Barcelona, and there have been no moves made towards his signing either.
As reported earlier this week, the Catalans believe that the 26-year-old attacker has a major weakness in his game that would render him unfit for Hansi Flick’s tactical setup – his lack of pressing and defensive work rate.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona