Rafael Leao transfer U-turn: Aston Villa make major breakthrough

28 Aug 2026 08:22 BST | 4 min read

Rafael Leao, AC Milan, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Aston Villa’s strong end to the transfer window is likely to see Unai Emery’s side land multiple big-name targets, with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao increasingly looking likely to be one of those.

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The Portugal international attacker has spent much of the last season in dispute with the Serie A giants, prompting the possibility of a cut-price move before the deadline.

While there is interest from Galatasaray, reports from Turkey indicate that Aston Villa increasingly appear in the attacker’s thinking, with a deal worth €50 million, including €5m in bonuses, on the horizon.

Current ETV

Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan

Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan

ETV Range

€48.5M - €59.3M

Aston Villa ahead of Galatasaray in Rafa Leao race

Transfer insider Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has reported on X: “Rafael Leao has started to warm up to the idea of joining Aston Villa following his meeting with Unai Emery.

“Emery explained to Leao how he would be used in the team.

“The Portuguese star will make his decision in 24 hours. If he accepts the offer, he will earn €8 million annually.”

Leao is faced with a difficult decision. While Aston Villa can offer him a greater platform and the opportunity to play Champions League football, the English side is offering a considerably smaller contract that Galatasaray, who have put a €12m annual wage on the table for the former Lille star.

Matteo Moretto, meanwhile, reports that Aston Villa are leading the race and are close to an agreement over a transfer fee with Milan. He claims that Villa are offering Leao a wage of €7-8m per year but the player’s desire to play in the Premier League could be decisive in the deal falling in their favour.

What happened to Rafa Leao at AC Milan?

Leao was once the darling of the San Siro but has become more used to being jeered by fans of AC Milan in recent months.

At his peak, he was touted as a €120m star in the days when such transfers were few and far between. In 2023, he was given a new €7m-per-year contract with a €175m release clause, but his form dipped and he has never recovered – with his apparently relaxed attitude only causing him to draw further criticism.

Leao’s time at Milan has simply run out. His intrinsic value remains high, but the perception of the player has declined so much at San Siro in recent months, it has left the club with nowhere to go.

His form means that clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, who were all linked with potential moves for him earlier this year, are no longer interested.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, are ready to swoop for the attacker as Emery reconstructs his side, with striker Ollie Watkins set to depart for the Saudi Pro League in the hours ahead. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson could be the England international’s like-for-like replacement, with Leao offering an option on the wing.