Barcelona set sights on Serie A winger with €150 million release clause as Laporta eyes summer overhaul

Despite the club’s current financial situation, Barcelona remain keen on making a big superstar signing in the summer transfer window, reports SPORT.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that the squad is in need of a second revolution, after splashing €200 million on new signings in the summer of 2022.

With the desired success not achieved, the report states that the president wants to overhaul the squad and part ways with a number of players while signing new, top footballers, along with promoting youngsters from La Masia.

A new midfielder is a priority, with Amadou Onana of Everton emerging as the likely candidate. Along with that, the Blaugrana wish to add a top winger who can make immediate impact.

Rafael Leao on Barcelona’s radar

As such, the report states that Barcelona have set their sights on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao.

This report comes after Gerard Romero claimed overnight that Barcelona were monitoring a winger from Serie A, who was not Italian.

The 24-year-old has been a top performer for the Rossoneri in the past few years and has been on Barcelona’s radars for a while now.

Indeed, the Catalans had shown an interest in Leao at the time when he was yet to sign a new contract with Milan and it appears that they continue to admire the Portuguese international.

The Blaugrana see Leao as a differential player who can add more speed, dynamism, and goals from the left flank.

On Barcelona’s agenda. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

€150 million release clause

Leao signed a new contract with AC Milan in 2023, penning an extension until 2028 with a mammoth release clause worth €150 million.

Even though Barcelona are expecting to generate revenue from the sale of Barça Studios and some players, reaching that figure would be a huge hurdle.

Despite that, the reigning La Liga champions are confident that they can make a competent offer for the Portuguese forward and believe that AC Milan would be willing to negotiate.

Leao, for his part, could be open to an exit in the summer and even though PSG are keen, he does not fancy a return to France. As such, a move to Spain or England could be on the cards.

And with Laporta keen on making a superstar signing, a move for Leao could be explored, with superagent Jorge Mendes likely to hold the key.