Report: Aston Villa enter Leao race but forward's heart set on Arsenal
Quick summary
Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan, but the Portuguese forward is said to prefer a move to Arsenal.
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Attributed to original sourceAston Villa have become the latest club linked with Rafael Leao, as Milan continue to seek a resolution to the Portuguese forward’s uncertain future.
According to SportMediaset, via CalcioMercato , Villa’s candidacy is slowly emerging in a market that has so far been cold for Leao, who remains the leading candidate to leave San Siro following his end-of-season comments and a saga that shows no sign of dying down.
Milan are awaiting input from super-agent Jorge Mendes to determine which destination might prove decisive, with the forward valued at somewhere between €60-70 million.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Rafael Leao of AC Milan competes for the ball with Tarik Muharemović of US Sassuolo 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) Leao holds out hope of Arsenal move as Villa prepare to move The Villa link is no coincidence as it has reportedly emerged through the ongoing negotiations between the two clubs over Pervis Estupinan , Unai Emery’s priority target for the left flank, though a gap over the full-back’s valuation remains.
Villa are in the market for a wide attacker to replace Morgan Rogers, who is to be sold to Chelsea for a monster fee of around €130 million, and have the budget to satisfy both Leao’s and Milan’s demands, even if contacts over the Portuguese have so far gone no further than exploratory.
Leao’s own preference, however, points elsewhere.
While he is keen on a move to the Premier League, Birmingham is said to be the option that appeals to him least in terms of lifestyle.
London holds far greater allure, and Arsenal, who have sold Leandro Trossard and missed out on signing Rogers, would be a far more “interesting” destination in his eyes. Despite this, the Gunners have made no move for the forward as of yet.
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What happened
AC Milan forward Rafael Leao is attracting Premier League interest, with Aston Villa now reportedly joining the pursuit. However, sources indicate the player's preference is Arsenal, complicating Villa's hopes. Leao has been a key attacking figure for Milan in Serie A, and his potential departure would be a significant blow for the Italian club. The situation remains fluid, with no formal offer confirmed by either English club.
Chance analysis
Leao is one of Serie A's most explosive wide forwards, and any Premier League move would meaningfully upgrade a club's attacking line. Arsenal's reported position as Leao's preferred destination gives them leverage in negotiations, though Villa's financial resources under their ownership model make them a credible competitor. For Milan, losing Leao would be a major sporting and financial hit, weakening their Champions League aspirations.
Milan face a potential major attacking departure while Arsenal and Aston Villa compete to add a top-tier forward, with Leao favoring a move to the Emirates.
If Arsenal sign Leao, their attacking depth and left-wing threat would significantly improve, making them a stronger title contender; if Villa secure him, their offensive ceiling rises notably.