Why Rafael Leao to Barcelona was impossible this summer

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto confirms Barcelona did approach Milan for Rafael Leao in the closing stages of the transfer window, but there are several reasons why it was impossible.

The rumours emerged towards the end of August in the Spanish press, with suggestions they were ready to break the bank to bring the Portugal international to Camp Nou.

However, it was brushed off as entirely impossible by Rossoneri chiefs and there are quite a few reasons why the idea was always doomed to remain a pipe dream, at the very least for the summer of 2024.

Rafael Leao remaining at Milan

Matteo Moretto explains in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing that both Rafael Leao and Milan had no intention of parting company so soon after signing a new contract, especially with practically no time to even think about a replacement.

The release clause in his contract is €175m and it would’ve required more than that to push them into a move so late in the date.

Besides, Barcelona were already struggling to balance the books enough to register Dani Olmo, so the bids for Nico Williams and Rafael Leao never really took off.