Barcelona’s renewed interest in AC Milan’s Rafael Leao has sparked speculation, given his current situation with the Rossoeneri. he Portuguese forward’s strained relationship with Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has fueled rumors of a potential move, with Leao being benched for consecutive matches.
Calciomercato report that the Catalan club’s interest comes at a time when they’re riding high in La Liga and the Champions League. However, the question remains: Can Barcelona afford to pursue Leao in their current financial state?
Leao’s contract with Milan runs until June 2028, with a net salary of around 7 million euros per season. In Spain, this would translate to approximately 14 million euros gross on Barcelona’s balance sheet. The club already boasts some of La Liga’s highest-paid players, including Robert Lewandowski at 33.3 million euros gross.
Barcelona’s wage bill has already increased by 48% this season, reaching 426.427 million euros. Adding Leao would further inflate this figure, potentially straining the club’s finances.
Despite efforts to improve their financial situation under Joan Laporta’s presidency, Barcelona’s debt remains a concern. The club’s indebtedness, which had decreased to 1.12 billion euros in 2022, has risen again to 1.9 billion euros. This increase is largely due to the massive 1.1 billion euro investment in renovating Camp Nou and other facilities.
The club is actively seeking new revenue streams, including a potentially lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike. However, negotiations have been challenging, with Barcelona seeking 100 million euros per season plus bonuses.
While Barcelona’s interest in Leao is genuine, the financial reality may prove to be a significant obstacle. The club would need to perform complex financial maneuvers to afford a player of Leao’s caliber and salary without further jeopardizing their economic stability.
