Barcelona believe signing €175 million-rated forward target ‘practically impossible’

Over the past 24 hours, FC Barcelona have shifted their focus towards a move for AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao to reinforce the left flank.

The Catalans tried to sign Nico Williams but hit a dead end while their pursuit of Luis Diaz also ended up without any success.

While moves for others like Federico Chiesa and Kingsley Coman are also being weighed up, the Blaugrana are looking at Leao as their next top signing according to reports.

Move practically impossible

Reports suggested that there have already been contacts made between Barcelona, AC Milan, and Leao, who would be open to making the jump to the Catalan club.

However, now, SPORT reports that despite holding a strong interest in Rafael Leao, Barça consider the operation to sign him ‘practically impossible’.

Move for Leao difficult to pull off for Barcelona. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

This comes on the back of reports from Italy stating that AC Milan value their prized asset at a massive €175 million – a figure that the Blaugrana cannot even fathom to reach at this point.

It is further claimed that Barcelona would find it difficult to shell out even half of that amount in their current financial situation.

Barça, for their part, were hoping to pay a fee of around €65 million and offer players in exchange for Leao, which would also free up space on the wage bill.

However, AC Milan do not want to hear anything about that and see Leao as non-transferable, and the only way his departure would be considered is if a club comes up with €175 million – something that is out of the question for Barcelona.

As such, the report states that Federico Chiesa is a more viable and financially feasible target for the Catalans as he is out-of-favour at Juventus and would be available for just €14 million.