Deco unconvinced by €75m Serie A winger amid Barcelona links – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona’s first season under Hansi Flick has been a resounding success, but to elevate the project further, smart and strategic additions in the transfer market are essential, particularly to strengthen squad depth.

For much of this season, Hansi Flick’s attack has read Raphinha – Robert Lewandowski – Lamine Yamal. Ferran Torres has provided cover across all three positions but has mostly played as a striker, which is where he seems to be at his best.

An Ansu Fati replacement?

Ansu Fati, the other attacker in the squad, who is naturally a left-winger, has failed to gain Hansi Flick’s trust and hasn’t seen much game time through the entire campaign. In the limited opportunities that he has received, he hasn’t managed to make the desired impact.

Rafael Leao has been very good for quite a few seasons now. (Source: DataMB)

Thus, it would come as no surprise to see Barcelona look to sign a new left-winger this summer and let the 22-year-old Spaniard leave. Among the many names that the Catalan club are interested in, one of them is AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

As per MARCA, however, sporting director Deco is unconvinced by the prospect of signing Leao due to his indifferent season with the Italian club. Thus, it is unlikely that Barcelona would make a move for the €75m-rated winger this summer.

Do Barcelona need Leao?

Leao has been at AC Milan for quite some time now and has been widely regarded as one of the most promising wingers in the world. This season, he has managed to put up decent numbers, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.

What does the future hold for Rafael Leao? (Source: DataMB)

What makes the 25-year-old unpredictable is his ability to take on his full-back and go both on the outside and the inside. Leao, however, can often be very frustrating in terms of end product but that could change at Barcelona.

While Rafael Leao offers the flair and explosiveness Barcelona often seek in a wide attacker, Deco’s reservations, combined with AC Milan’s hefty valuation, make a transfer unlikely this summer. The Portuguese international’s raw talent is undeniable, and under Hansi Flick, he could potentially flourish.

However, for now, Barcelona may look toward more cost-effective or tactically aligned options to strengthen their left wing. In football, things can change quickly, but at present, this seems like a story that may not progress beyond admiration.