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 Chelsea, giving their recruitment team significant financial firepower.

Determined to reinvest a portion of those funds in a world-class replacement, manager Unai Emery has prioritised signing an explosive left-sided attacker.

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 eager to test himself in the Premier League.

Villa hold a significant sporting advantage. After winning the 2025/26 Europa League in May with a dominant 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg, the Villans can offer Leao Champions League football.

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

Villa 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 game at the recent World Cup – make him a dream signing for the Midlands club.

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