Rafael Leao Returns to Training as Milan Moves On
Rafael Leao is back on the grass at Milanello. His future, though, is still parked firmly in the departure lane.
The Portugal forward has returned to full training with Milan after 12 days out, rejoining the group in the final, frantic week of the summer transfer window. He missed the Rossoneri’s pre-season friendly against Manchester United and sat out their Serie A opener against Torino, watching instead as a new face stole some of his spotlight.
Because while Leao has been edging towards the exit all summer, Milan have already started to live without him.
Milan move on, Leao stays put
Leao has long been open about his ambition to test himself in the Premier League or LaLiga. He signalled at the end of the 2025-26 campaign that this was the right moment to move on, and Milan responded by quietly – and then not so quietly – shopping him around Europe.
The market, so far, has shrugged.
Links to several clubs have surfaced in recent months, with Aston Villa the most recent name pushed to the front of the queue. But a deal has never come close enough to the finish line to be called imminent, and now the clock is ticking on Serie A’s window.
Inside Milan, the tone has already changed. Head coach Ruben Amorim underlined the shift with a blunt assessment: “Rafa is not important.” It was a line that cut through any remaining sentimentality and underlined the club’s stance – the project moves on, with or without its former star winger.
On the pitch, the new era has a face. Teenager Alphadjo Cisse has wasted no time introducing himself, scoring his first Serie A goal in Milan’s league opener at the weekend. The San Siro crowd responded, and the message was clear: there is life after Leao.
And yet, Leao is still there. Still under contract. Still training in red and black.
Galatasaray short, Villa hesitant
The market around him remains fluid but unresolved.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Aston Villa have stepped back from a potential move, deciding – at least for now – not to push ahead with a deal. Other outlets in Italy insist the Premier League club have not completely walked away and remain in the conversation, but there is no agreement, no breakthrough, and no formal bid that satisfies Milan.
Galatasaray are closer to the negotiating table. The Turkish club have made their move, but not far enough. Milan are holding firm at €50 million for the Portugal international. Reports on Wednesday put Galatasaray’s current proposal at €42m including bonuses – significant money, but still short of the asking price.
So the stalemate holds.
Leao trains. Amorim builds around others. The window ticks down.
One week left. A €50m price tag on the table. A player who wants a new league, a club already leaning into a future without him, and suitors still a step away from Milan’s demands.
Something has to give. The question is whether it happens now – or whether Rafael Leao starts another season in a shirt that already feels like someone else’s.
