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AC Milan star Leao has long been on Barça's radar, with interest first igniting last summer when they faced obstacles in their attempts to sign Nico Williams. The Catalan club sees Leao as a game-changing winger, and president Joan Laporta has made it clear that he favours the Portuguese player on many previous occasions.
The president, Joan Laporta envisioned securing a high-profile signing in time for the completion of the Camp Nou refurbishment, with Rafael Leão being seen as a prime candidate. However, Leão recently extended his contract with AC Milan until 2028, which includes a release clause of €175 million, giving the club significant leverage.
It was clear that Barcelona would not entertain paying such an exorbitant fee, but an offer in the range of €80-90 million could prompt Milan's management to reconsider.
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Barcelona's financial woes acts as a roadblock
At the moment, Barcelona is navigating through its financial discrepancies, anticipating improvements in both its economic status and Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation by next summer. The club is actively pursuing several agreements, and the partnership with Nike is expected to greatly enhance their financial resources.
There have been reports suggesting that Leao would be thrilled to join Barcelona, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity after nearly six years in Italy. While he has chosen to remain cautious about the rumours, he is clearly aware of the complexities involved in any potential negotiations.
Rafael Leao hilarious reaction to 'Barca' calls
Recently, the Portuguese winger showed a lighthearted response when a journalist mentioned 'Barca' in public. He laughed it off, showing his ability to handle such remarks with ease while going about his business.
🚨 Rafa Leao’s reaction after being asked “Barça?” #FCB 🇵🇹
— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadFCB) January 23, 2025
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