According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona has set its sights on signing Rafael Leao to bolster its left-wing position following the failed Nico Williams deal.
The Blaugrana had hoped to secure the Portuguese player in the remaining days of the summer transfer window, rather than resorting to temporary solutions like Federico Chiesa or Kingsley Coman.
However, Barcelona’s dreams have hit a roadblock, as Milan is unwilling to part with Leao under any circumstances, regardless of the financial offer.
Barcelona’s initial idea was to trigger Leao’s release clause, valued at 170 million euros. However, due to the club’s complex financial situation, this option is practically impossible.
Even if Barcelona managed to secure this amount, it would not be sufficient, as the release clause has expired. The only solution would be to negotiate with Milan, but the Italian club has no intention of opening the door to this possibility.
As a result, Chiesa is increasingly becoming the most likely option to strengthen the left wing for Hansi Flick’s squad before the transfer window closes, given Juventus’ desire to sell him and the relatively affordable fee for Barcelona.
