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Recent reports from SPORT indicate that Barcelona are closely monitoring Real Madrid’s upcoming match against AC Milan with a particular focus on scouting the talented attacker, Raphael Leao.
Leao is currently in a precarious situation at Milan. His future with the club is uncertain, especially with the ongoing speculation linking him to several elite teams, including Barcelona.
Hence, the match against Real Madrid presents a significant stage for the Portuguese winger, offering him a chance to showcase his talent on a grand scale.
What’s going on between Leao and Milan?
The timing of this matchup is particularly advantageous for Leao, given the ongoing tensions between him and his coach, Paulo Fonseca.
Recently, an incident occurred during a hydration break where both Leao and teammate Theo Hernandez showed disrespect to Fonseca by remaining on the field instead of listening to his instructions.
Rafael Leao has fallen out of favour at AC Milan. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)This altercation happened nearly two months ago, and since then, the forward’s situation has not improved. He has found himself relegated to the bench in the last three Serie A matches. Although he started against Brugge, he was substituted after just 60 minutes.
Form has price has dipped
As a result of this inconsistent form, Leao has only managed to score one goal this season. This lack of performance, combined with the pressure of potential transfers, means that a standout display against Real Madrid could be vital for his career trajectory.
Furthermore, failing to impress could have dire consequences for his future, as his market value has already begun to decline.
If Leao continues to struggle with consistency and his starting position at Milan remains in doubt, he may soon become a more accessible target, contrasting sharply with the high demand and price tags that surrounded him just a few months ago, which would be idea for Barcelona.