Leao weighing big decision between Aston Villa and Galatasaray
Quick summary
Rafael Leao is reportedly taking time to decide between offers from Premier League side Aston Villa and Turkish giants Galatasaray as he considers his future away from AC Milan.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMultiple sources warn Rafael Leao has not yet made a decision on his future, with Milan ready to accept offers from Aston Villa or Galatasaray, but he is leaning towards the Premier League.
The Rossoneri have recognised his time at the club is over and were forced to lower their demands from €60m including add-ons to a package worth €50m.
In different ways, both Aston Villa and Galatasaray are ready to meet that asking price, so ultimately the decision should be up to the player himself.
Leao has to choose next career step CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images) Portuguese paper Record insist that Leao has already chosen Aston Villa , but Sky Sport Italia , MilanNews and more warn it is still not quite a done deal.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is certainly trying his hardest to convince the player, calling him directly to present the project, and Leao has already said he thinks the Premier League is more suited to his style of football than Serie A.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on after the match during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) However, the club is offering considerably less both for the transfer fee and the salary, said to be just €6.5m per season plus performance-related bonuses.
He had been hoping for €12m per year wages instead, so has asked Villa to improve the proposal on personal terms before he makes his decision.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots as Wladimiro Falcone of US Lecce attempts to make a save during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan are also not entirely pleased with the offer on the table, because Aston Villa want it to be a loan with obligation to buy at the end of the season, whereas Galatasaray are ready to hand over the full €45m plus €5m add-ons immediately.
So while Record maintain the decision has been made, and Leao is leaning towards Aston Villa even with less money, it is by no means over yet.
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What happened
AC Milan star Rafael Leao is mulling over a significant career decision, with both Aston Villa and Galatasaray emerging as serious destinations. The Portuguese forward, one of Milan's most prized attacking assets, appears to be carefully evaluating his options rather than rushing into a choice. The interest from two very different footballing markets — the Premier League and the Süper Lig — underscores the scale of interest in Leao's signature. His eventual decision will shape Milan's transfer strategy and could trigger a significant attacking reshuffle at one of the interested clubs.
Chance analysis
Rafael Leao's potential departure from AC Milan would be one of the more surprising moves of the window given his status as Milan's talismanic winger. Aston Villa, riding an upward trajectory under their current project, represent a competitive Premier League pathway, while Galatasaray would offer a marquee role in a league where Leao would immediately be the headline signing. The fact that the Portuguese international is genuinely weighing both options suggests both clubs have made compelling sporting and financial pitches. For Milan, losing a player of Leao's calibre would force a major reinvestment in attack during the same window.
A Leao departure would weaken Milan's attacking line and force a major squad rebuild, while handing either Villa or Galatasaray a marquee forward signing.