AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao has looked anything like a superstar this season, as his uneven performances have caused him to ride the pine on the Rossoneri bench, with controversial manager Paulo Fonseca seemingly singling out the Portuguese international as the scapegoat to shroud his own failings as coach.
Fonseca’s days in Milan are surely numbered, but the damage may already be done. Although Leao’s stock has fallen as a result of Milan’s play this season, elite clubs like Barcelona and even Chelsea could circle back to the left winger in the summer 2025 transfer window.
Leao was the MVP of Serie A in the 2021/22 season when Milan last won the Scudetto, and he led the team to a Champions League semifinal berth in the following season.
Although Barcelona have one of the best front lines in world football right now – if not the best – they don’t have a right-footed left winger who can score goals. Raphinha has been moved to the left in the new system, with Lamine Yamal owning the right wing.
If Barcelona were to go for a left winger next summer, Leao will be one of the options, along with another former Serie A MVP in Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
There is also the case of Nico Williams, who seemed close to a Barcelona move last summer before ultimately deciding to stay with Athletic Club after his breakout of the international stage at Euro 2024.
Leao might actually be Barca’s best economical option, as he appears to be making moves that would force Milan’s hand into selling a man who was once the face of the franchise.
Per a report from Tuttosport, Leao wants to leave Milan because of his issues with Fonseca and the targeted treatment that has led to the Rossoneri’s most talented player sitting on the bench.
Barcelona are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation, with Leao wanting out of Milan as early as January. The issue is that Tuttosport state the La Liga leaders are not interested in making a Leao move in the winter.
We know Joan Laporta wants to make some grand signings to compete with Real Madrid in the splash zone, even as they are currently surpassing Madrid in the table.
Erling Haaland is his ultimate dream target as the heir to Robert Lewandowski’s thrown, but, before that, the Barca president could swing a deal for Leao, a player with true superstar talent despite his inconsistencies, to add a fourth horseman to the stacked front three.
Honestly, it all comes down to cost, because that will dictate if Barcelona feel it is worth the risk to sign Leao. They don’t want to hurt their long-term chances of signing Haaland, who may have a more clear path at Barcelona than Real Madrid after the Kylian Mbappe and Endrick moves.
