Serie A winger emerges as an option for Barcelona with club open to loan-to-buy deal

Serie A winger emerges as an option for Barcelona with club open to loan-to-buy deal Rafael Leao has been continually linked with Barcelona summer after summer and it is clear that the administration rate the Portuguese winger highly. Two seasons ago, he was seen as a major target alongside Nico Williams but the club’s financial situation did not permit the transfer. Last summer, he was once again seen as an option and eventually signed Marcus Rashford on loan instead, once again owing to the financial restrictions. Given the player’s impressive performances at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, it now appears that the player is back on the Blaugrana’s radar as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo ). An improbable transfer Indeed, as relayed by the Spanish outlet, Leao is once again seen as an option to join Barcelona this summer and his situation is also amicable to a transfer. Leao could leave AC Milan. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) The player, currently contracted to AC Milan, is not in the plans of the manager Ruben Amorim and the coach would prefer that the club can facilitate an exit for the winger. His release clause stands at €150 million, but the Rossoneri are reportedly willing to sell the player for a fee between €60 million and €70 million. That number, however, is on the higher side for Barcelona who rejected Rashford’s permanent transfer this summer for a fee of just €30 million. One possible option The Spanish outlet further adds that Barcelona have enquired about the player without making their exact intentions known. A permanent transfer may be beyond their budget, but a loan move is a possibility. Loan deal with a purchase clause could be an option. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) AC Milan will not be opposed to a similar formula that Barcelona used to sign Rashford last summer – a loan with a purchase clause – although they would prefer the option to be mandatory to ensure the Catalans do not backpedal. As matters stand, Tottenham Hotspur and several Saudi Arabian clubs are also in the race for the player and can likely offer better financial terms. Everything, thus, will come down to the player’s decision and how strong Barcelona’s interest really is. So far in the World Cup, Leao has played in all four of Portugal’s games, although only one as a starter. Averaging just 36 minutes per game, he has already racked up one goal and one assist and was the game-changer in the team’s win over Croatia.