Barcelona will try to sign €100m-rated Serie A superstar; open to offer players in deal

In a major development, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona are planning to launch an attempt to sign AC Milan and Portugal forward Rafael Leao before the transfer window slams shut.

Barcelona have been after a new left-winger this summer and had their sights firmly set on a move for Nico Williams. However, the Spaniard appears set to stay at Athletic Club, forcing the Catalans to look at alternatives.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz was seen as an option but his exit has been ruled out. And now, it appears that the Blaugrana have turned their focus towards Rafael Leao.

Barcelona want a statement signing

Leao is a player that Barça president Joan Laporta has admired for some time now and as such, the club are now ready to try and sign him before the window slams shut.

The Blaugrana wish to close the transfer window with a statement signing – both in terms of quality on the pitch and impact in the media and see Leao as an option.

The 25-year-old is a top winger who would meet the requirements of what Barcelona are looking for – both on the pitch and outside.

A player with skill, pace, and top dribbling ability, Leao is capable of cutting in from the left or staying out wide and can contribute with goals and assists.

In terms of image, he is a player who is considered to be a potential star who needs to make the leap to a big club to get more attention.

Move complicated but Jorge Mendes could help

As per the report, Barcelona understand that the operation is complicated but they have a top-level ally in their favour: superagent Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese international has a contract with AC Milan until 2028 and his market value is around €90-100 million.

But, it is claimed that Leao would love to make the jump to a big club like Barça. The Catalan giants have got down to work, knowing that Mendes can make a seemingly impossible operation feasible.

Players in exchange?

From the offices at Can Barça it is pointed out that the club have already set aside a budget to sign Nico Williams – €58 million plus €4 million (Consumer Price Index) and can use that for Leao.

Furthermore, sources add that Milan may be interested in players that Barça have in addition to the aforementioned amount of money.

Among those players that Barça do not rule out selling depending on the offer they receive are Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Ferran Torres and even Alejandro Balde whose agent is, precisely, Jorge Mendes.

The Italian club may also like other players, such as Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo and Ansu Fati, but they are currently injured and that makes their departure more complicated.

Registration would be an issue but Barcelona hope to get rid of high salaries such as those of Ilkay Gundogan and Clement Lenglet and bring in money with the sales of Vitor Roque and Mika Faye, without ruling out any last-minute surprises.