Aston Villa rival Galatasaray with loan offer for AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao – with deal including obligation to buy next summer for around £37m: WINDOW WATCH
It’s that time of the year again – the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it’s sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
Here are today’s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Villa make Leao loan enquiry
Aston Villa have offered a loan fee of £6.9million to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan for the season.
The Portugal attacker is also wanted by Galatasaray, who are attempting to buy him permanently for an initial £38.6m.
Leao’s transfer is being handled by super agent Jorge Mendes, who played a key role in Unai Emery becoming Villa boss in autumn 2022.
If Leao were to choose Villa, the deal would include an obligation to buy him next summer for nearly £37m if certain conditions were met.
Rafael Leao is being chased by Galatasaray and Aston Villa this summer
Villa agreed a similar deal with Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho, who was left on the bench for last Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing at Brighton.
Galatasaray are thought to be offering Leao a deal worth more than £300,000 a week, an impossible figure for Villa to match. Instead, Emery hopes the prospect of playing in the Premier League will sway Leao towards Villa.
TOM COLLOMOSSE
WEDNESDAY: Chelsea in talks over £36m-rated Atalanta teenager
TUESDAY: Nottingham Forest close in £45m deal for Liam Delap
MONDAY: Aston Villa in touch with AC Milan over Rafael Leao
