Barcelona has been actively searching for a winger to strengthen Hansi Flick’s squad, following the failed pursuit of Nico Williams. To recap, Williams came incredibly close to joining the Catalan giants, but for the second time in his career, he turned them down at the last moment, opting instead to extend his contract with Athletic Bilbao. As a result, the club’s management is actively seeking a replacement for the star winger.
Three primary candidates have emerged: Rafael Leao, Marcus Rashford, and Luis Diaz. Many, including Joan Laporta, believe Leao would be the ideal choice. However, securing his services appears unattainable. According to “El Nacional,” Barcelona has decided against pursuing Rafael Leao from AC Milan this summer. The primary obstacle is the Portuguese player’s price tag, reportedly reaching as high as 75 million euros—a figure well beyond the Catalan club’s budget.
In the previous season, Rafael Leao featured in 50 matches for Milan, recording 12 goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions.
The 26-year-old Portuguese player boasts an impressive record of 40 appearances for the national team, accompanied by five goals. Most recently, he celebrated victory in the UEFA Nations League with the squad. According to the platform “Transfermarkt,” his current market value stands at 70 million euros.