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Surprise at Camp Nou: Tired of Madrid, He Signs Up for Barça. Ansu Fati Stays Sharp

Jorge Mendes moves the pieces with one goal: you go to Milan and you go to Barcelona.

Yesterday we reported on Jorge Mendes's offer to sign one of the star players from his agency to Barça.

This is Rafael Leão, the Portuguese international.  Yesterday, he drove the entire Real Madrid defense crazy at Bernabéu while wearing the AC Milan jersey.

Jorge Mendes Brings One and Takes Another

Leão is an option that Joan Laporta finds very interesting because it would entail the departure of Ansu Fati to Milan on a permanent basis. The operation, valued at 70-80 million, would be below 50 million.

A soccer player in a red and black uniform dodges an opponent who tries to stop him on the field, while the public watches from the stands.
With this image from yesterday Rafael Leão has ridiculed Lucas Vázquez on Instagram | Instagram

The advantage of this convoluted operation is the presence of Jorge Mendes, a friend of Joan Laporta and Deco. Mendes is both the representative of Leão and Ansu Fati. Both are interested in the move.

Leão is even willing to lower his salary of €7 million net per year (around €15 million gross) to wear the Barça jersey. Leão is the highest-paid player in the Milan squad.

Leão was in the sights of Real Madrid, but his preferences are definitely leaning toward Barcelona, a team under construction that doesn't know its limits.

His Walk at Bernabéu in Front of Lucas Vázquez

Despite the festival of plays and goals he put on last night at Bernabéu, Leão is having a difficult season with Milan. He has only scored one goal in the 12 official matches he's played.

A man in a red and black jacket stands in profile against an out-of-focus background.
Rafael Leão offers himself to Barça after his exhibition at Bernabéu | Getty Images

However, last night against Lucas Vázquez, he showed his ability to break through, his speed and his dribbling, always playing for the team and giving up on frills.

Hansi Flick is not looking favorably on this transfer. He prefers Leroy Sané to fill the gap left by Ansu Fati in the Barça squad. The problem is that while Milan is interested in Ansu Fati, Bayern doesn't want him in their squad.

Before welcoming a reinforcement, the squad must be reduced. This will be a point of conflict between Deco and Flick. Laporta owes Jorge Mendes many favors and feels obliged to turn to his players to reinforce the squad.