Rafael Leao warming up on the bench for AC Milan and Aston Villa FC head coach Unai Emery smiling in his direction.

Rafael Leao and Unai EmeryImago

How Rafael Leao still has open door for Aston Villa despite transfer agreement elsewhere

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club; Teesside University graduate. FOCUS Long-form opinion and deep-dive content across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Jacob utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, analytical reporting. He provides in-depth opinion and insight to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and into the detail.

Published on:

27 Aug 2026, 3:30 pm

Rafael Leao is still making his mind up on whether to join Aston Villa or not.

The Villans are desperate for new attacking signings after the decimation of their squad this summer.

Ollie Watkins looks destined to be the next to leave Villa Park, and could be joined by Emi Martinez out the doors.

Unai Emery is yet to see a Morgan Rogers replacement arrive, though NSWE are keen on giving the Spanish head coach Leao.

AC Milan are open to selling the Portugal international this summer, with interest rife across Europe.

Villa remain in discussions for Leao, but are at risk of losing out, with Galatasaray advancing for the left-winger.

How Rafael Leao could wait for Aston Villa despite new agreement

Prominent Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on X that a club-to-club agreement has been reached between Galatasaray and AC Milan for the transfer of Leao.

A package deal worth £38.5million plus add-ons has been verbally agreed, and further talks are set to be ironed out before the deadline.

🚨🟡🔴 The club to club agreement between AC Milan and Galatasaray for Rafael Leão is verbally done.

Package worth €45m plus add-ons, with talks to continue on details today.

Decision up to Leão whether to accept or wait for Aston Villa.

Update powered by @ExtrabetTR10. pic.twitter.com/JcgNM0nVdv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2026

However, the ball appears to be in the player's court, as he may accept a proposal from Villa.

According to The Athletic, the 27-year-old is yet to decide his future.

The Villans have yet to make a firm offer, but are pushing to sign the forward on a loan-to-buy obligation.

Leao's agent, Jorge Mendes, is leading the search for a new club for his client, and previous reports suggest the player's believed preference was to join the B6 side earlier this summer.

As mentioned, Milan prefer a permanent sale, but Leao is clearly having his arm tugged by the prospect of Champions League and Premier League nights at Villa Park.

But one big factor may tempt him to Turkey.

What Emiliano Martinez has now told Chelsea as Fabrizio Romano shares Aston Villa transfer latest

What wage offer are Aston Villa competing with?

Leao is a highly-rated forward, hence the high demand for his services this summer.

Villa are clearly looking to split their spending up this summer, but it could be a stumbling block in their pursuit of the AC Milan forward.

Another could be the fact that Galatasaray have offered him an annual salary of over up to £10m net, something the Villans will want to financially avoid.

Leao may believe that Villa is the best move for his career, but as seen in the modern era of football these days, money talks.

He has not shut the door on the B6 side as of yet, and a resolution will come true very soon.

Ollie Watkins