Aston Villa emerge as late contenders for Milan star Rafael Leao
Quick summary
Aston Villa have entered the race to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Barcelona.
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Attributed to original sourceAston Villa have emerged as late suitors for Rafael Leao, with Milan prepared to reopen negotiations if the right figure arrives in the closing week of the window.
According to Calciomercato.com , Gerry Cardinale has been unyielding on a €60m valuation, but the Rossoneri would return to the table for an offer of €50m.
Villa are hunting attacking reinforcement with Ollie Watkins reportedly heading for Al Hilal.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 23: Rafael Leao #17 of Portugal celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) Aston Villa flush after record Rogers sale; Leao eyed The Birmingham club have the means, having sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a reported €137m, and Unai Emery is said to see Leao as the addition that lifts his forward line. Villa will also play Champions League football this season.
Milan’s willingness to sell is tactical as much as financial. Leao’s profile as an orthodox left winger sits awkwardly in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, a system that asks its two support strikers to function as genuine trequartisti rather than touchline wingers.
Seven seasons in Milan have brought 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 appearances, along with a Scudetto and a Supercoppa Italiana.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Rafael Leao of AC Milan hugs Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan after his goal during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images) He has not, however, been placed outside the squad in the manner of Youssouf Fofana, Fikayo Tomori and Christopher Nkunku.
Any buyer would also be signing a player currently sidelined, Leao having missed the opening weekend with a thigh problem.
The report adds that no formal offer has yet reached Milan, with Galatasaray the only club to have made a proposal directly to the player.
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What happened
Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to sign AC Milan's Portuguese forward Rafael Leao in the current transfer window. Leao, who has been heavily linked with Chelsea and Barcelona, is valued at around €80-90 million by Milan. The 25-year-old forward is under contract until 2028, and Milan's willingness to sell could depend on offers meeting their asking price. Villa's interest adds an unexpected Premier League dimension to one of the summer's most-watched transfer sagas.
Chance analysis
Rafael Leao remains one of European football's most coveted attacking talents, and the addition of Aston Villa to his list of suitors underlines how widespread his appeal has become. Villa's emergence in the chase signals their growing financial muscle under Unai Emery and their ambition to compete with established Premier League heavyweights for elite-level talent. Whether Milan ultimately part ways with Leao will depend on whether any club meets their significant valuation, but the widening field of bidders only strengthens Milan's negotiating position.
If completed, the transfer would weaken AC Milan's attacking line while significantly bolstering Aston Villa's forward options.