Barcelona President Joan Laporta pursuing a summer showy signing. Rafael Leao from AC Milan is one of the players he most enjoys for the approaching summer.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta attempting a flashy acquisition in the summer. One of the athletes he holds in high regard for the upcoming summer is Rafael Leao of AC Milan.

Twitter Reddit Email Share Notwithstanding their evident financial difficulties and ongoing registration challenges, neither has impeded Barcelona President Joan Laporta’s pursuit of high-profile signings during the summer transfer window.

One of the athletes he holds in high regard for the upcoming summer is Rafael Leao of AC Milan.Laporta is an ardent admirer of his talents and is of the opinion that acquiring Leao would enhance both the profile and reputation of the organisation.

While there may be uncertainties regarding his consistency, his aptitude is unequivocal, and at his peak performance, he possesses the ability to be utterly unstoppable. The representation of Leao by Jorge Mendes, coupled with his close relationship with Laporta, constitutes a significant consideration; according to Sport, this alone will elevate Leao’s position on their shortlist.

Nevertheless, the personnel at Barcelona hold a differing perspective. While they recognise that Leao is exceptionally effective in open spaces with the ball at his feet and during counterattacks, his overall gameplay raises certain reservations.

A particular segment of the reconnaissance reports concerning him has been emphasised, specifically noting his limited defensive work rate. Additionally, there are reservations regarding his effectiveness when confronted with densely organised defences, a situation that Barcelona frequently encounters.

The presence of Lamine Yamal on the opposite flank presents an additional disadvantage when considering Leao. While there is considerable enthusiasm for the 17-year-old, he does not possess a natural inclination towards defensive responsibilities.

Consequently, the prospect of incorporating both players into the lineup could potentially disrupt the team’s overall balance. In general, they believe that there are alternative candidates for the position that would be more suitable for Barcelona.

Arguably, the most significant concern pertains to his valuation. Even considering Barcelona’s association with Mendes, the Catalan newspaper observes that it is “highly improbable” that Milan would accept an offer below €90 million for Leao.

Leao is no longer an emerging talent, and as he advances into the peak of his career, it is understandable that there are doubts over whether he will develop some of the gaps in his game.

This season, Raphinha has predominantly been utilised in a more central role rather than on the left periphery; however, his defensive work rate should not be overlooked when assessing his overall contribution.