Barcelona president held an interest in 23-year-old Serie A forward before his renewal

According to SPORT, Barcelona president Joan Laporta held an interest in AC Milan forward Rafael Leao and had made enquiries about him before his contract renewal in Italy.

Leao has been one of the most prominent faces in Stefano Pioli’s Milan side over the past couple of campaigns. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a fine 2022/23 season, racking up 14 goals and 15 assists from 47 appearances.

For a long while this season, though, the Portuguese international’s future at San Siro had been a topic of much debate as his contract with the Rossoneri was set to expire in 2024.

With negotiations prolonging and a breakthrough not in sight, some clubs tried to test the waters with a move for Leao. And it seems that Laporta and Barcelona were among those who were keeping a close watch on the 23-year-old’s situation.

The Blaugrana are looking to make improvements to their attacking unit in the summer with the left flank being eyed as an area to be reinforced.

Yannick Carrasco appears to be the main target, but briefly, Leao’s name crossed the mind of Laporta. However, with the Portuguese ace agreeing a new five-year contract with Milan earlier this month, the Barça president was forced to walk away swiftly.

Given the club’s economic situation, they cannot spend heavily on a single player especially when there are several other positions that need to be strengthened as well.

As such, Carrasco seems to be best-placed to arrive at Camp Nou in the summer, with the Blaugrana understood to be in complete consensus over his signing.

If not him, Xavi & co. might look at one of their own loanees in the form of Ez Abde.