FC Barcelona’s series of triumphs continues with a new installment focusing on the club’s relations with hotshot company Nike.
In a recent statement released by the club, it has been confirmed that the Catalan Giants have reached a consensus with the company over a new multi-year deal making them the club’s principal sponsor.
After many years of suffering through the trenches in suffocating debt, the improved terms of the deal mean many things for the Blaugranes but most importantly it heightens the chances of the club’s return to the 1:1 rule.
This agreement also comes at a perfect time for the team, with Joan Laporta looking to make a big signing leading up to the presidential reelection.
Keeping that in mind, according to SPORT, AC Milan star winger Rafael Leao is thrilled at the prospect of donning the Blaugrana colors and he could be the audacious signing Laporta is looking for this summer.
Why Rafael Leao?
With his attacking presence on the left wing and his adept dribbling—things Barcelona happens to lack—he could be the last piece of the puzzle taking the club to never-before-reached heights.
His addition would also allow Lamine Yamal to develop into a more central attacking role while Leao could also pair Raphinha to cover Olmo, an injury-prone player.
The 25-year-old extended his contract with AC Milan until 2028, with a substantial release clause of €175 million. It can be easily assumed that the Catalans would be unwilling to pay this price but it is expected that Milan, who don’t seem inclined to put up too much of a fight for the forward, would be willing to lower it to a far more reasonable fee of €80-90 million.
Motivated by the Milan coach’s frosty relationship with Leao, the Blaugranes might just depart with such a hefty sum to secure the seasoned forwards’ signature, assuming that the club’s claims of having improved financial fair play conditions next summer are true.
Leao’s agent, Jorge Mendes’ strong ties with Barcelona and the speculated soft spot Laporta holds for the Portuguese just sweetens the deal.
If successful, Barcelona could avoid many anticipated problems and fill many holes in their team with this signing while parallelly making a statement to the world, that Barca are indeed back and a force to be reckoned with.
