Rafael Leao is actively looking for a new club and Arsenal have a chance at signing the attacker.
Sport Witness have previously covered how Manchester United asked for information on signing the AC Milan player. They seemed interested but no concrete offers have come forward.
More recently, the Portuguese expressed his desire to depart the Rossoneri. He is clear about wanting a new challenge, having endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign. He couldn’t cross the ten-goal mark, had his attitude questioned and his relationship with Max Allegri hit rock-bottom.
Now, it is Arsenal who have a chance at signing Leao in the summer.
Player keen on Gunners
Gazzetta dello Sport report that desperation is growing in Leao’s camp about finding a new club. They are believed to be behind his words about the decision to leave Milan.
This has led to the player being put forward to Arsenal. The Gunners are believed to be looking for a winger, having missed out on Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.
The Portugal international is keen on a move to England and wouldn’t reject advances from the London club. Even if Galatasaray are interested, he is willing to wait if clubs in England make moves.
Milan’s position is quite clear. They are in need of around €50m to sell Leao, with Arsenal yet to formally step forward.
Gala have offered the player €10m per season. That is quite a hefty wage but they haven’t approached Milan as Leao himself hasn’t been keen. He is waiting, hoping the Gunners step forward.
Leao can offer significant value
In the last two seasons, the 26-year-old has looked like a shadow of himself. This has coincided with off-pitch chaos at Milan, who constantly find themselves without a sporting plan. That continues to be the case even now and this has impacted everyone – even Leao.
He needs a club with a sporting plan and Arsenal align with those ideas. He can offer more than Gabriel Martinelli and on his day, can still be one of the most electric attackers in the league.
There are question marks about work-rate and attitude but that is where Mikel Arteta’s role can come in. Leao needs a manager like the Spaniard to get more out of him, especially as he will not cost much. While risky, a deal can turn into a positive, depending on the player’s wage demands.