Leao to Barcelona? Romano reveals the truth

Tom Weber

Updated: 5 Nov 2024 06:04 CST
3 min read

Fabrizio Romano insists that Rafael Leao has yet to field any significant transfer interest from Barcelona or any other club.

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The Portugal international has been in the news a lot lately. Out of favour at AC Milan under Paulo Fonseca, Leao has gone from undisputed star player to bench warmer in the space of a couple of months.

Fonseca insists that Leao's repeated omissions are down to purely tactical reasons, with Italian media previously reporting that the head coach was fed up with the winger's lack of defensive effort.

The 25-year-old is in line to start in the Champions League against Real Madrid on Tuesday, but speculation surrounding his future is ramping up in light of his lack of minutes.

In recent seasons, Leao has been persistently linked with Chelsea and PSG. Now, Barcelona are said to be keeping tabs on his situation, hoping that he could potentially come available for a cut-price deal.

Romano on Leao

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now sought to set the record straight. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he insisted that, though the situation in Milan is tense, there has yet to be concrete movement on the Leao front - but this could change next year due to his agent Jorge Mendes.

"It's important to say that, at the moment, despite Mendes behind the scenes insisting several times to find a solution for Leao in 2025, so to bring a proposal on the table for AC Milan to try to find a solution for the player - at the moment Milan have not received any formal bid.

"Leao himself has not received any formal contract bid. Leao is still pushing to change his status, his situation in Milan and so this is the feeling around the player. But Mendes, one of the most influential agents in the world, is pushing for a solution for Leao in 2025.

"It's important to clarify that despite all the rumours, Milan have not received any official bid and Milan are not entertaining any negotiation at the moment."