Rafael Leão returns to Milan training with transfer future unresolved

Rafael Leão has returned to full training with AC Milan while his future remains unresolved, with Aston Villa and Galatasaray still exploring a move for the Portugal international in the final days of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old trained with his team-mates on Wednesday for the first time in 12 days after recovering from injury, placing him back at Rúben Amorim’s disposal ahead of Friday’s Serie A meeting with Venezia.

His return should not, however, be interpreted as an indication that Milan have closed the door on a transfer.

Leão remains available on the market if the club receive an offer that meets their valuation, although his situation is notably different from several other Milan players being actively moved out of the squad. He continues to train normally with the first team and has not been excluded from Amorim’s plans while discussions over his future continue.

That distinction has become increasingly important as the transfer window enters its final phase.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Aston Villa remain interested and have maintained contact with Milan, with Leão receptive to the possibility of joining Unai Emery’s side. Galatasaray have also remained in the race after failing to make sufficient progress with earlier approaches.

Neither route is currently close to completion.

Milan continue to seek a package in the region of €50m to €60m for a player whose contract runs until 2028. Transfer reporter Matteo Moretto said on Wednesday afternoon that Galatasaray are offering the most attractive salary to Leão but remain some distance from satisfying Milan financially. Villa, meanwhile, would need to improve both the terms offered to the club and the financial package available to the player.

The result is a transfer situation with genuine interest but no clear frontrunner capable of completing the deal on the current terms.

For Milan, that creates a delicate balance.

Leão remains one of the squad’s most naturally destructive attacking players. His acceleration, ability to isolate defenders and threat when carrying the ball from the left have defined much of Milan’s attack over recent seasons. Selling him with only days remaining in the window would therefore require both an acceptable fee and enough time to reshape Amorim’s forward options.

Yet the club are prepared to consider that possibility.

Leão’s role has changed under Amorim, and Milan have spent the summer restructuring an attacking group that no longer depends on the Portuguese forward to the same extent. His return to group training reinforces that he remains a usable first-team player rather than an unwanted asset, but it does not remove the possibility of a late departure.

That is why Friday’s meeting with Venezia now sits in an unusual position.

Leão is again physically available and could be involved at San Siro, even as his representatives and Milan continue to assess whether a transfer can be completed before the deadline. The club have not reached the point of protecting him from selection because of an imminent move.

Aston Villa’s interest provides one potential Premier League route.

Emery’s squad has undergone substantial attacking change this summer, and Villa have explored several options as they attempt to reinforce the forward line. Leão would offer a different profile from a conventional centre-forward: a high-level ball carrier capable of creating separation from defenders and giving Villa an established threat from the left.

But interest alone is not enough.

Milan’s valuation and Leão’s personal terms remain significant obstacles, and Villa have not yet produced an agreement capable of advancing the transfer towards a medical or final documentation.

Galatasaray face a similar problem from the opposite direction.

The Turkish club have shown a willingness to offer Leão a lucrative contract and remain active in the pursuit, but Milan are not prepared to substantially reduce their financial expectations merely because the deadline is approaching.

That leaves Milan with leverage.

Leão has three years remaining on his contract, is back in full training and can immediately return to competitive action. The Rossoneri do not need to accept an inadequate offer simply to resolve the situation before the window closes.

For the player, the next few days therefore present two very different possibilities.

One is a late move and a new challenge after several seasons at San Siro. The other is remaining with Milan and reintegrating immediately into Amorim’s side, beginning with the possibility of featuring against Venezia.

At present, the second outcome remains every bit as realistic as the first.

Leão is back on the training pitch. Aston Villa and Galatasaray remain interested. Milan are prepared to negotiate at the right price.

What nobody has yet produced is an agreement.