Aston Villa emerging as suitors for Rafael Leao | OneFootball

Aston Villa are emerging as contenders for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

Villa have agreed a record £117 million sale of forward Morgan Rogers to Premier League rivals Chelsea, giving their recruitment team significant financial firepower.

Determined to reinvest a portion of those funds in a world-class replacement, Unai Emery has prioritised signing an explosive left-sided attacker, with Leao fitting the profile perfectly.

With two years remaining on Leao’s current contract, Milan are prepared to consider serious offers for the ‘amazing’ 27-year-old this summer.

A firm €60 million valuation has been set to sanction a sale. Leao is also understood to be eager to test himself in the Premier League.

Crucially, Aston Villa hold a significant sporting advantage. After winning the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League in May with a dominant 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg, the Villans can offer Leao immediate Champions League football and a squad competing for major honours.

Villa also maintain an active boardroom channel with AC Milan through ongoing discussions regarding full-back Pervis Estupinan, who is being considered as a replacement for Paris Saint-Germain-bound Lucas Digne.

With Villa’s interest in Leao still in the evaluation phase, they are also tracking West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville.

However, the dynamism and elite pedigree of Leao—who averaged a tournament-high 6.4 successful dribbles per 90 at the recent World Cup—make him a dream signing for the Midlands club.

Super Lig giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are also interested in the winger, although Leao is unlikely to move to Turkey at this stage of his career.