After an exceptional season in which Barcelona won the domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup), the Catalan club’s management has begun to take steps to strengthen the squad for next season, especially in light of new coach Hansi Flick’s ambition to build a more competitive team both domestically and in Europe.
In this context, according to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, the name of AC Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leão stands out as a compelling target.
Leão sees Barcelona as the ideal destination to take his career to the next level. The 25-year-old believes that the time has come to leave Serie A and join a club defined by ambition, youth, and consistent growth—qualities embodied by Barcelona’s current project under Flick.
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One of Leão’s main motivations for a move to Barcelona is the opportunity to play alongside a group of talented young players such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong. He is particularly excited about the prospect of forming a dynamic attacking partnership with Yamal, the rising star who made headlines last season. Leão believes they could become one of the most dangerous duos in European football.
Barcelona’s impressive season has significantly influenced Leão’s outlook. The team’s attractive style of attacking play and the resurgence of a strong identity under Flick’s guidance have helped restore some of the club’s lost European prestige—a development not overlooked by the Portuguese winger.
Within the Camp Nou, Leão is highly regarded. Club president Joan Laporta views him as a perfect signing, both from a technical standpoint and in terms of market appeal. Securing Leão’s signature would send a powerful signal that Barcelona is once again a major force in European football.
As of now, no formal negotiations have begun between Barcelona and Milan, but Leão’s name is reportedly under serious consideration by both Deco and Laporta. If Milan lowers the asking price to €50–55 million, Barcelona may be ready to make a serious move—provided the club can generate the necessary funds through player sales.
For Rafael Leão, wearing the Barcelona shirt represents a dream come true. The chance to play alongside Lamine Yamal and fight for major trophies under Hansi Flick is a challenge that greatly excites him. Now, the ball is in the club’s court. Could the summer of 2025 mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Portuguese star’s journey with the Blaugrana?
