Barcelona frustrated Manchester United by not triggering Marcus Rashford’s £26million option-to-buy clause
Barcelona may look to sign Rafael Leao on loan(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United could see Barcelona repeat their Marcus Rashford loan trick to sign Rafael Leao.
Leao is expected to leave AC Milan this summer, with United among a long list of clubs linked with his signature. The Portuguese winger revealed in May that he wishes to depart Milan after seven years at the San Siro, having notched 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 matches.
The Italian side have since appointed ex-United head coach Ruben Amorim, whose famous reliance on wing-backs means Leao doesn’t fit into his plans. As such, the 27-year-old is likely to find a new club, with his lowered price tag of £51million attracting suitors.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport claim Barcelona are a potential destination for the Reds target. The Catalans have reportedly enquired about his situation, following club president Joan Laporta’s long-running interest in the player in recent years.
Leao has also been offered to Barca by his agent several times in the past. But while he would undoubtedly bolster Hansi Flick’s attacking options, the left wing position is not a priority for the La Liga champions.
That is due to Barca being well covered, already having Raphinha and recently signing Anthony Gordon for a whopping £70m. The Gordon deal was struck after the Blaugrana decided not to exercise Rashford’s option-to-buy clause to sign the United forward for a mere £26m, following his successful season-long loan.
They are similarly unlikely to want to sign Leao permanently, given his fee and striker Julian Alvarez being their top priority. However, they could be open to market opportunities that present themselves, like Rashford’s initial loan move.
Leao, whose contract expires in two years’ time, might be available on a loan deal if no one else is willing to meet Milan’s valuation. As such, a potential move to the Camp Nou may not be off the table.
The only sticking point if Barca opt to utilise the same method they used to bring in Rashford is that Milan may prefer to only accept a loan as a stepping stone, preferring an obligation to buy clause in order to avoid the situation United faced this summer with Rashford.
Leao’s future is expected to be resolved in the coming weeks, with the winger set to shift his focus back to club football after Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain.
Several other Premier League clubs and Saudi Pro League sides are also reportedly interested in the winger.
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2026-07-07 11:27:24
