Aston Villa have opened preliminary discussions with Crystal Palace regarding the possible acquisition of French striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta, while simultaneously reaching out to AC Milan in an effort to secure the services of dynamic winger Rafael Leão. These moves form part of a broader strategy by the Premier League club to refresh its attacking options ahead of the upcoming transfer deadline.
The club’s recruitment agenda is not limited to the domestic market. In parallel, Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have been actively pursuing Villa’s leading scorer Ollie Watkins. Sky Sports News reports that Al Hilal have entered into negotiations with Villa and have already had at least one of their offers turned down. Watkins, who was omitted from the squad that suffered a 4‑0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, was asked by manager Unai Emery to explain his absence.
Emery replied to Sky Sports with a cryptic comment: “Ask him. I can only answer with silence.” Subsequent reports indicate that Watkins returned to training on Monday and offered an apology to his teammates for missing the Brighton fixture. The striker’s future appears increasingly uncertain, and his potential departure could free up significant funds for Villa’s summer business. Mateta, currently under contract with Crystal Palace for another year, has been on Villa’s radar since at least the January window.
The 29‑year‑old forward featured for Palace in their 2‑0 defeat to Everton over the weekend, showcasing the kind of physical presence and aerial ability that Villa find appealing. However, sources suggest a valuation gap exists between the two clubs, with Villa perhaps viewing Mateta as a bargain relative to his Premier League experience, while Palace may be holding out for a higher price.
On the continental front, Villa’s interest in Rafael Leão has grown more concrete. The 27‑year‑old Italian has publicly indicated an openness to a move to England, and Villa have already entered into direct contact with AC Milan. Both parties are expected to negotiate terms with the aim of finalising a deal before the September 1 deadline.
Leão is a versatile attacker capable of operating as a central striker, a second‑forward, or a left‑winger. In the 2023‑24 Serie A campaign he recorded nine goals and three assists across 29 appearances, demonstrating both goal‑scoring instincts and the ability to create chances for teammates. Villa’s scouting network has also identified Chelsea’s promising forward Nicolas Jackson as a long‑term target.
Jackson is reportedly set to leave Stamford Bridge before the deadline, with interest also coming from Napoli and several other clubs. Sky Sports previously suggested that Villa would be more inclined to pursue Jackson if Watkins were to move to Al Hilal, indicating a potential cascade of transfers that could reshape the club’s attacking line‑up. The recent 4‑0 drubbing at Brighton highlighted the depth issues Villa currently face.
Manager Unai Emery was forced to deploy midfielders Emi Buendía and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards after Watkins’ omission and injuries to Tammy Abraham and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo. The match also underscored the broader exodus of talent from Villa’s Europa League‑winning squad over the summer, with key players such as Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa already departed, and the possibility that Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could follow suit. Given these circumstances, Villa’s urgency to reinforce the forward line cannot be overstated. Rafael Leão, in particular, would not be a routine signing.
The Portuguese‑born attacker has long been linked with a Premier League move, and his skill set aligns closely with the role previously filled by Morgan Rogers – a player capable of operating across the front three, driving at defenses, and contributing both goals and assists. While Leão’s market value has dipped somewhat in recent months, his potential upside remains high, especially under a manager like Emery who has a track record of revitalising players’ careers, as evidenced by his work with Marcus Rashford at Manchester United. Villa can offer Leão the allure of Champions League football, a guaranteed starting berth, and the platform to showcase his talents on one of the world’s most watched stages. For Villa, securing Leão would address the “star‑level” void created by the departure of several key forwards and provide a marquee signing that could excite the fan base and enhance the club’s commercial appeal.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begović weighed in on Sky Sports, praising the potential move: “It would be fantastic news for Villa fans. Rafael Leão would be an incredible signing.
I have played with him and seen his pace, power and skill firsthand. He is perfectly suited to the Premier League – his talent, physical attributes and game intelligence would thrive here.
At Milan he developed under great senior players, but constant managerial changes have affected his consistency. Working with Emery at Villa could give him the stability and role he needs to become a main player.” In summary, Aston Villa are actively pursuing multiple avenues to rebuild their attack before the September 1 transfer deadline. The club is negotiating with Crystal Palace for Mateta, exploring a high‑profile acquisition of Rafael Leão from AC Milan, and keeping an eye on Nicolas Jackson as a potential long‑term addition. Simultaneously, the situation with Ollie Watkins and Al Hilal adds another layer of complexity, as his departure could both fund and necessitate further signings.
The coming weeks will be decisive for Villa’s ambitions to remain competitive in the Premier League and to challenge for European qualification.