Serie A forward now considered ‘untouchable’ by club amidst Barcelona links | OneFootball

With FC Barcelona targeting a new left-winger in the summer transfer window, AC Milan star Rafael Leao has been linked as a potential target.

The 25-year-old Portuguese international is admired by club president Joan Laporta and even though Luis Diaz is seen as the priority, Leao’s name continues to be mentioned as an option.

In fact, reports earlier this week indicated that superagent Jorge Mendes had brought up the AC Milan winger’s name during a meeting with Barça officials.

Leao ‘untouchable’ under new manager

However, according to the latest update from Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Leao is now considered an ‘untouchable’ by AC Milan following the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as new manager.

The 25-year-old Portuguese international did not have an easy season, and his name had been linked to a potential summer exit if a suitable offer came in, with Barcelona among those monitoring his situation.

No longer up for sale. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)

However, any possibility of negotiating for the forward has now vanished. Leao has regained his status as a cornerstone of AC Milan with the arrival of Allegri as the new manager.

Allegri believes the winger is one of the few players in Serie A capable of making a real difference and wants to turn him into the team’s main reference point.

The Rossoneri leadership fully supports this plan, trusting that Allegri can bring consistency to Leao’s performances.

As such, as of this week, Leao, a name that continues to be associated with Barcelona, is no longer for sale.

Leao has a contract with the Rossoneri until 2028 that contains a mammoth release clause, making a departure extremely unlikely.