Rafael Leão would prefer to join Arsenal rather than Aston Villa should he leave Milan this summer, despite the Midlands club emerging as the latest Premier League suitor for the Portugal international. The Serie A side are prepared to sanction the winger’s departure for approximately €50 million to finance a move for Genk attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, though sources differ on whether the Rossoneri would hold out for closer to €60-70 million.
Leão confirmed his desire to exit San Siro at the end of May, and the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach has accelerated the process. The Portuguese tactician favours a classic number ten over a traditional winger, leaving Leão surplus to tactical requirements. Milan have already invested heavily this window, spending nearly €100 million on strikers Gonçalo Ramos and Mario Gila, meaning funds must be raised through sales to complete the Karetsas deal.
Villa interest complicated by player preference
Aston Villa’s interest surfaced during ongoing negotiations with Milan for left-back Pervis Estupiñán, with the Birmingham club seeking a wide attacker to replace Morgan Rogers following his €130 million move to Chelsea. Villa possess the financial resources to meet Leão’s demands after significant outgoing transfers, but the player harbours reservations about the location.
According to reports, Leão finds the prospect of living in Birmingham less appealing than London, viewing the capital as a more “interesting” destination. Arsenal have sold Leandro Trossard and missed out on Rogers, yet have not made a formal approach for the 27-year-old. Until the Gunners act, Leão faces a choice between waiting for his preferred option or considering Villa’s concrete financial capability.
Barcelona and United monitor situation
Both Barcelona and Manchester United have sounded out Leão’s availability through his representative, super-agent Jorge Mendes, though neither has submitted a formal proposal. The forward has ruled out moves to Turkey or the Saudi Pro League, limiting his options to Europe’s top five leagues.
Milan await Mendes’s input to determine which destination might prove decisive. With Leão’s €175 million release clause considered unrealistic given the circumstances, the club will accept a substantially lower fee to balance the books and satisfy Amorim’s tactical restructuring. The coming weeks will prove critical as the transfer window progresses.