Barcelona could lose Rafael Leão to Manchester City in a €100 million deal
Barcelona’s pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leão faces major setback amid Manchester City’s €100 million offer
FC Barcelona’s long-standing dream of signing Rafael Leão may be slipping away, as Manchester City prepares a blockbuster offer for the AC Milan forward. According to Fichajes, Pep Guardiola’s side is ready to table a bid of approximately €100 million, a figure that could force Milan to reconsider their stance on retaining the Portuguese international.
Barcelona Risks Losing Key Target
Leão, regarded as one of the most electrifying wingers in European football, has been a target of Barcelona for several seasons. Club president Joan Laporta and the board have long admired the 25-year-old’s flair, speed, and goal-scoring ability. However, financial instability at Camp Nou continues to limit the club’s negotiating power in the transfer market.
Now, with Manchester City entering the race with significant financial backing, Barcelona’s hopes of landing the player appear increasingly unrealistic.
Milan Faces Tempting Offer
Although AC Milan is not actively seeking to sell Leão, the reported €100 million bid could prove too lucrative to ignore. The Portugal international remains under contract until June 2028, and has been one of the cornerstones of the Rossoneri project since his arrival from Lille in the 2019/20 season.
Despite a somewhat inconsistent campaign last year mirroring Milan’s collective struggles Leão still managed to record 12 goals and 11 assists across 50 appearances.
Saudi Interest Cools, City Moves In
Earlier in the summer, Leão was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, particularly Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo and managed by Jorge Jesus. However, those talks have since cooled, leaving the path clear for Manchester City to accelerate negotiations.
Ederson Nearing Exit as City Reshapes Squad
While preparing for Leão’s potential arrival, Manchester City could also finalize the departure of goalkeeper Ederson. The Brazilian has reportedly agreed terms with Galatasaray, marking another high-profile change in Guardiola’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
