Aston Villa in talks over Leao loan as Milan accept Galatasaray bid

Aston Villa are in talks over a loan with an obligation to buy for Rafael Leao, while AC Milan have accepted a €45m bid from Galatasaray for the 27-year-old attacker.

According to David Ornstein, the Turkish champions have put forward a net salary worth around €10m to €12m a year and Leao is deciding whether to proceed. The developments were reported on Thursday.

The same reporting says Milan are pushing for a permanent sale now, which would complicate Villa’s attempts to structure any deal around an initial loan. An acceptance of Galatasaray’s offer gives the Istanbul club a clear route if the player agrees personal terms.

A loan with an obligation to buy typically binds the purchasing club to complete a transfer at a later date, but it still relies on the selling club’s agreement on timing and structure. Milan’s stance suggests they want immediate finality, rather than a deferred commitment.

For Villa, progressing talks would likely hinge on Milan softening that position, or on Galatasaray’s move stalling if Leao declines their proposal. There is no suggestion at this stage of a medical being scheduled, nor of travel plans, and further details of any prospective contract beyond the headline salary range have not been disclosed.

As things stand, Galatasaray hold the accepted bid and are awaiting the player’s decision, while Villa explore a different route that would require Milan’s approval. The outcome rests on Leao’s choice and whether the Italian club will entertain a loan-plus-obligation framework.