Barcelona make enquiry for €60 million-rated AC Milan forward – report | OneFootball

Barcelona have explored the possibility of signing AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t SPORT), which reports that the Catalan club has enquired about the conditions required to complete a deal.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and clubs from Saudi Arabia have also requested information on the Portuguese international, although no formal negotiations have taken place.

A long-standing Barcelona target

There was a time when Leao was one of Barcelona’s priority targets.

Club president Joan Laporta has long admired the winger and previously included him among the club’s preferred attacking options during unsuccessful pursuits of Nico Williams over the past two summers.

While Barcelona have since shifted their focus to other players, Leao remains an attractive market opportunity should circumstances change.

Leao up for sale. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

AC Milan ready to sell

Leao could become one of the biggest bargains of the summer transfer window. The arrival of Ruben Amorim as Milan’s new head coach has significantly altered the situation.

Amorim’s tactical system relies on inside forwards rather than traditional wingers, leaving Leao without a natural role in the team.

The Portuguese international has reportedly been informed that he is free to find a new club, with Milan prepared to negotiate a transfer for around €60 million, or potentially even less.

Massive price drop

Barcelona’s previous interest in Leao was blocked by Milan’s firm stance. Two years ago, the Italian club refused to negotiate and insisted on the player’s €150 million release clause, viewing him as the cornerstone of their project.

However, after two difficult seasons in which Leao lost prominence under successive managers, Milan are now willing to accept a fee well below his previous valuation.

The winger is currently representing Portugal at the World Cup, where he has established himself as one of Roberto Martínez’s regular starters.

Not a priority for Barcelona. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

Not Barcelona’s priority

Despite the enquiry, Leao is not Barcelona’s primary transfer target. The club believes the left wing is already well covered following the arrival of Anthony Gordon, while sporting director Deco remains focused on signing a top-class striker.

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez continues to be Barcelona’s preferred option, with the club concentrating most of their resources on trying to complete that deal.

Only if the move for the Argentine ultimately proves impossible could the Blaugrana reassess alternative attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

Leao, for his part, would welcome a move to Barcelona.

Although super-agent Jorge Mendes does not officially represent Leao, he maintains a close relationship with both the player and Milan and has suggested the Portuguese forward to Barcelona on several occasions.

For now, however, the Catalan club’s interest has gone no further than gathering information.