FC Barcelona had been working for months on a strategic operation to strengthen their attack with a desired profile. Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick shared the need to bring in a top-level winger who could make a difference. However, the club's plans have been disrupted by a European giant that has accelerated in the last few hours.
The blaugrana squad needs depth on the wings, something neither Raphinha nor Lamine can sustain throughout the entire season. Flick wants a third man to alternate without lowering the team's competitive level. For this reason, the focus had been on a very specific name, desired by the entire sporting leadership of the club.
Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona
Laporta was pursuing a star signing worth 70 million euros
Joan Laporta has worked hand in hand with Jorge Mendes to explore the feasibility of an ambitious signing. His preferred name was none other than Rafael Leão, a game-changing player at AC Milan with overflowing talent. The president feels a special weakness for the Portuguese, whom he considers ideal to bring offensive magic back to the team.
The Portuguese winger also kept a good relationship with several members of the Barça locker room, which made his personal fit easier. However, the club knew it wasn't going to be a simple operation from any financial angle. International competition was fierce and, in the end, one of the big clubs has decided to make a move before anyone else.
Joan Laporta at a press conference | @jlaportaoficial
Bayern Munich has burst into the race for Rafael Leão and seems to have everything wrapped up. The German offer amounts to 70 million euros plus add-ons, a sum impossible for current Barça. With this proposal, Milan has already given the green light and the player is packing his bags for Germany.
Leão's arrival at the Allianz Arena is a matter of days, and in Barcelona, it's already assumed there's no turning back. Joan Laporta will now have to focus on finding viable alternatives that fit the blaugrana budget. The Portuguese was the great obsession, but the dream has vanished at the hands of the German champion.
Rafael Leão with AC Milan | @iamrafaeleao93
Bayern wins the battle for one of the market's gems
Rafael Leão will bring Bayern exactly what Flick was looking for at Barça: speed, dribbling, and goals. At the Bavarian club, they already see him as the perfect replacement to cover the departure of Sané or Coman. In contrast, at Camp Nou, they're preparing to accept another defeat in the market due to a lack of financial muscle.
Laporta's strategy was clear, but he has run into a reality impossible to overcome: Bayern's liquidity. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, they're evaluating formulas to balance the books, while in Germany, they execute signings without hesitation. The difference is striking and is once again reflected in an increasingly demanding market.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
Despite the setback, Hansi Flick keeps his roadmap intact to strengthen the attacking front. The German needs a quality piece on the wing, capable of rotating with guarantees and keeping up the intensity. The market continues to offer alternatives, although not with the same impact as the Portuguese.
Laporta and Deco will be forced to dive among profiles that, while not high-profile, meet the coach's tactical demands. The priority remains to find a young, fast winger, committed to defense, and with room for growth. The ideal profile remains complicated, but Barça doesn't give up on trying.
Lamine and Raphinha will be key | @FCBarcelona
Work in the offices doesn't stop: Flick demands an immediate reinforcement
The sporting director will have to speed up negotiations if he wants to please the coaching staff before the start of preseason. Flick isn't in favor of improvising or delaying signings he considers key to the team's balance. That's why the internal directive is clear: move quickly, be clever, and don't repeat past mistakes.
The post-Leão era begins with urgency, pressure, and many eyes on the summer market. Laporta knows it: they can't afford another emotional blow like this if they want to aim for everything. Bayern has won a battle, but the war in the market is still far from over.
