Barça has already started moving in the summer transfer market with the priority of strengthening the left wing. After a season in which the need for more depth on the flank has become clear, the sporting management and Flick have agreed on the profile the team needs. In this regard, the top favorite to fill that role is Luis Díaz, currently at Liverpool.
However, the club is also considering a more affordable option with Marcus Rashford. Although he isn't the number one option, Rashford is highly valued for his physical power and his ability to attack spaces. If the club can't secure Luis Díaz, the British forward's name is emerging as a serious alternative.
Nico Williams and Rafael Leao move further away
The Athletic and Milan players are no longer on the table. However, both options seem to have been ruled out. In the case of the Spanish international, his rejection of the club last summer has left some resentment within the sporting management.
Meanwhile, Rafael Leao, who has always been liked by part of the Barça fanbase for his talent and ability to unbalance, also represents a financially unfeasible operation. Milan isn't willing to let him leave for less than a figure exceeding €100 million (100 million euros), something completely out of reach for Barça's current financial policy. With this background, everything indicated that the Portuguese player's name was definitely off the radar.
Milan wants Ronald Araujo and that could change the outlook
However, El Nacional reports that the possibility of seeing Leao in a Barça jersey could unexpectedly be revived. According to this outlet, Milan has a strong interest in signing Ronald Araujo, Barça's Uruguayan center-back. The Italian club is looking for a defensive leader and believes Araujo could be a key piece to consolidate their project in the medium and long term.
This move by Milan could have direct implications for Rafael Leao's future. The intention of the Rossoneri club would be to leverage their most valuable asset to close the signing of the Uruguayan center-back. Thus, the market takes an unexpected turn and puts Leao back on the list of Barça's possibilities.
A possible Araujo-Leao swap gains momentum with Jorge Mendes as intermediary
In this context, El Nacional also points out that Milan would be willing to propose a swap of Ronald Araujo for Rafael Leao. Although these types of operations are complex, the fact that both players have a similar market value makes negotiations easier.
The operation would have the help of Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese agent, who keeps an excellent relationship with both Barça and Milan, would be acting as a bridge between both parties. In addition, he keeps a direct line with Joan Laporta and would be actively working to explore the viability of the exchange.