Serie A giants open the door for Barcelona to secure key attacking target – report | OneFootball

Barcelona could be in line for a major transfer opportunity, as AC Milan are open to selling Rafael Leao, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

The Portuguese winger has long been admired by Barcelona, and in previous transfer windows, he was among the club’s top targets for strengthening the left wing, an area considered a priority for improvement.

However, earlier attempts to sign Leao did not materialise due to several factors. Barcelona were not operating under the 1:1 financial rule, which restricted their spending power, while Milan were unwilling to part ways with their star forward.

The situation has now changed

However, the situation has now changed. According to reports, Milan are reconsidering their squad structure and are prepared to offload some key players, including Leao and left-back Theo Hernandez.

The primary reason behind this shift is their ambition to secure the permanent signing of Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at the club from Chelsea. Milan view him as a key figure for their future and are exploring ways to make his stay permanent.

AC Milan are open to selling Rafael Leao. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Their preferred approach would be to negotiate another loan deal with a mandatory purchase option in 2026, estimated at around €40 million plus additional bonuses.

Milan want Felix

The club is highly impressed with the Portuguese forward’s performances and his seamless adaptation to the team. Hence, in order to facilitate this deal, they are considering selling both Hernandez and Leao, though a final decision is yet to be made.

Leao remains under contract at Milan until 2028, but the club is now willing to listen to offers if they receive a suitable proposal. While his release clause stands at €175 million, Milan are expected to consider lower offers, especially from clubs of Barcelona’s stature.

If a serious bid is made, the situation will be reassessed, with Milan’s main focus being on securing Félix’s future.

This development presents Barcelona with a golden opportunity to revisit their interest in Leao, should they find a way to meet Milan’s financial demands.