AC Milan are willing to offer Portugal winger Rafael Leao to Barcelona in an attempt to sign the La Liga champions defender Ronald Araujo.
Following a disappointing 2024/25 season, AC Milan has appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach and are eager to strengthen the squad. Araujo has been identified as a top target and the Rossoneri are willing to do all it takes to land their biggest target.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Rossoneri are pushing for the Uruguayan centre-back and have reportedly reactivated a move that was first floated late last summer.
With Barcelona hunting for a left-sided attacker, AC Milan are willing to offer Leao with Liverpool unlikely to let go of Diaz – Barca’s top target in that position.
AC Milan are interested in signing Ronald Araujo this summer (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool are demanding at least €80 million (£67m/$87m) for Diaz but Flick’s side have capped their spending limit at €60m (£50m/$65m). The club’s La Liga-mandated salary restrictions and lack of player sales mean they simply can’t go higher. As such, Deco and the Barca board are quietly exploring cheaper or alternative deals, like a trade for Leao, without overcommitting early in the window.
Though there’s no official statement on the Leao-Araujo exchange, Deco has publicly said Barca must reinforce their flanks. “We feel too dependent on Raphinha and Lamine,” he told media recently. “We’re looking for alternatives.”
While Leao has three years left on his Milan deal, Araujo renewed with Barcelona until 2030, his contract includes a crucial exit clause: between July 1 and July 15, his buyout drops to €65m (£55m/$71m)
