Rafael Leao Back in Training Amid Transfer Speculation

Rafael Leao is back on the training pitches at Milanello. His future, though, is still parked firmly in the departure lounge.

The Portugal international rejoined Milan training on Wednesday after a 12-day absence, having sat out the pre-season friendly against Manchester United and the Serie A opener against Torino. Physically, he is back in the group. Contractually, he remains very much on the market.

A star back on the grass, but halfway out the door

Milan have spent the entire summer listening to offers for Leao after the forward signalled that he saw the end of the 2025-26 season as the right moment to move on. The club chose not to wait. They have been open to a sale throughout this window and have set their price.

That figure is clear: €50 million.

So far, no one has hit it.

Leao has never hidden his ambition. He has spoken before about wanting to test himself in the Premier League or LaLiga, and his name has been floated around several major European clubs. Aston Villa were the latest to be linked, yet the trail has cooled.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Villa have now decided not to push ahead with a deal. Other Italian reports insist the Premier League side have not completely walked away, but there is no agreement, no bid that satisfies Milan, and no breakthrough.

Amorim moves on, Cisse steps in

On the pitch, Milan have already started to live without him.

Head coach Ruben Amorim sent a blunt message when asked about Leao’s status, stating: “Rafa is not important.” It was a line that cut through the noise: no player bigger than the project, no exceptions.

Supporters have quickly turned their gaze to Alphadjo Cisse. The teenage forward announced himself with his first Serie A goal in Milan’s opening league match of the 2026-27 season at the weekend, instantly fuelling the sense that a new attacking era may be forming without Leao at its centre.

The contrast is striking. Cisse scoring and celebrating in red and black. Leao returning to training under the cloud of a possible exit.

Galatasaray short of the mark

Outside England, the most concrete interest right now comes from Galatasaray.

The Turkish club have been in contact, but they are still some way off Milan’s valuation. Reports on Wednesday put their current proposal at €42m including bonuses – a respectable offer, but still €8m shy of the €50m Milan are demanding for the Portugal international.

For now, that gap is holding everything up. Milan are not inclined to lower the price. Galatasaray have not yet raised theirs enough.

And so the clock keeps ticking.

One week to decide everything

There is just one week left in the Serie A transfer window. Leao remains a Milan player, training again, wearing the club’s colours, yet with his future wide open.

The club have a replacement emerging, a coach who has publicly downplayed his importance, and a clear asking price on the table.

The market has seven days to decide: does someone step up to meet Milan’s demands, or does Rafael Leao stay for a season in a team that already seems ready to move on without him?