Transfer rumors, news: Leão's agent pushing for Barcelona move

Super-agent Jorge Mendes wants to take AC Milan winger Rafael Leão to Barcelona, while Newcastle United intend to offer Alexander Isak an improved contract. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- The representatives of AC Milan winger Rafael Leão want to push for a move to Barcelona, reports Calciomercato. Jorge Mendes, his agent, has a "clear objective" of securing a deal for the 25-year-old to sign terms at Camp Nou. However, he could be persuaded to stay at San Siro if they sign loanee João Félix on a permanent deal from Chelsea, with Leão keen to play alongside his Portugal compatriot at club level.

- Newcastle United are planning to offer striker Alexander Isak a new contract, reports Football Insider. The Magpies are "well-positioned" to begin talks in the summer, after moving players on in January helped them remain aligned with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. Isak is contracted at St. James' Park until the summer of 2028, but the club are keen to fend off interest in his signature from other clubs. The 25-year-old Sweden international has been in impressive form this season with 17 goals and five assists in 22 Premier League matches.

- Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson is on the radar of Arsenal, reports Teamtalk. The 20-year-old is reported to have "admirers" among the club's hierarchy, and that an enquiry was made by the Gunners in January. Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to continue the search for a striker in the summer with several options on his short list, with Ferguson one of the latest to be linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Ferguson joined West Ham United for the remainder of the season before the winter window closed.

- Fiorentina forward Moise Kean will only leave if a big club from Europe tables an offer, reports Calciomercato. Kean, 24, has been one of the standout stars in the Serie A this season, with 15 goals and two assists in 22 league matches, including a brace in the 3-0 victory over Internazionale on Thursday. Only offers that match his €52 million release clause will be enough.

- Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are keeping tabs on Barcelona forward Toni Fernández, reports Mundo Deportivo. The 16-year-old is one of the latest names on the radar of sides in Saudi Arabia, who are looking to add talented young players to their ranks, and he could be acquired if his release clause worth €20m is activated. However, it would be impossible for him to leave Europe before his 18th birthday in the summer of 2026.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN's Dale Johnson looks at the stats behind Rafael Leão at AC Milan.

While Rafael Leão might be one of the most exciting players in Europe, and coveted by the likes of Barcelona, he's having a disappointing season by his standards -- at least statistically.

Indeed, there has been a gradual decline in his attacking output since he scored 15 Serie goals and provided a further eight assists in 2022-23.

Last season, the Portugal international scored nine goals and set up nine more. While lower than the previous campaign, it was still a good return.

But in the 2024-25 season, Leão has only managed to score four goals and create another four, with 16 games remaining for AC Milan.

Is that lower return due to Milan's poor season, with the club languishing in eighth and in need of a miracle to bridge the gap to the Champions League places?

Or, is it Leão's disappointing attacking returns that are a cause of the club's issues in the league?

Regardless, he has the numbers in past seasons to attract the likes of Barcelona. But with three years remaining on his contract, AC Milan have no need to entertain suitors.

OTHER RUMORS

- Ipswich Town star Liam Delap has been added to the list of Manchester United's striker targets for the summer. (GiveMeSport)

- Jamie Gittens is likely to be available for transfer if struggling Borussia Dortmund fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Liverpool and Man United ready to battle it out for the 20-year-old winger. (Caught Offside)

- Everton believe they will be armed with a "competitive transfer budget" to revamp the squad in the summer. (The i Paper)

- Christian Eriksen, 32, could retire from the game when his Manchester United contract expires in the summer. (Daily Mirror)