Aston Villa emerge as late contenders for Milan star Rafael Leao | OneFootball

Aston 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.