A recent meeting with superagent Jorge Mendes has introduced an unexpected forward into FC Barcelona transfer plans.
Dubbed to primarily finalize the contract renewal of wonderkid Lamine Yamal, discussions with club officials had digressed into areas related to the future of out-of-favour forward Ansu Fati, on his way to AS Monaco.
The meeting also had Mendes throwing in a fresh name into Barcelona’s transfer considerations, changing their search for a left-winger to bolster their attacking ranks for the upcoming season.
The player Mendes touted was AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, a dynamic Portuguese forward who has previously attracted interest from Barcelona, as reported by Gerard Romero.
The 25-year-old scored 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances in the 2024/25 season, although he and Milan managed to capture only the Italian Super Cup in his final season with the club; the suggestion of the forward was high on club president Joan Laporta’s list of players to explore.
A player with a reported €75 million price tag, Leao’s new location potential is available this summer has the chance to generate some interest, even if Mendes is not listed as Leao’s direct agent, he is still very close to Leao’s camp.
Barcelona’s pursuit of a left-winger has been an open secret.
Their reliance on Raphinha and Yamal has led Hansi Flick and Deco to check in on substitutes.
While Leao was once on their list, they had recently added names like Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford to the top of their list.
Nevertheless, Mendes’s mentioning Leao in the meeting could lead Barcelona to revisit Leao, especially considering that a move for Diaz appears complicated with Al-Nassr’s financial reserve’s fortitude.
It is uncertain whether Barcelona will resume sights on Leao, but the influence of the superagent and the proven quality of the player make this a development to track as the transfer window approaches.
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