Aston Villa have taken the first step in opening negotiations with Crystal Palace regarding the possible acquisition of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, while simultaneously reaching out to AC Milan with the aim of securing winger Rafael Leão. These moves form part of a broader strategy by the Midlands club to bolster its attacking options ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The club’s transfer agenda is currently dominated by a handful of high‑profile targets.
On one hand, they are exploring forward‑line reinforcements, with Mateta emerging as a prime candidate. On the other, they have signalled a serious interest in Leão, a versatile attacker who has expressed a willingness to consider a move to England.
In parallel, Villa are also monitoring the situation surrounding striker Ollie Watkins, who has attracted interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Sky Sports News reports that Al Hilal have entered into advanced discussions with the Villa forward and that at least one of their offers has already been turned down. Watkins was conspicuously absent from the squad that suffered a 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. When asked by Sky Sports why the England international was not selected, Villa manager Unai Emery offered only a cryptic response: "Ask him.
I can only answer with silence." Subsequent reports indicated that Watkins returned to training on Monday and personally apologised to his teammates for missing the match, suggesting that his omission was not due to injury but rather to ongoing transfer speculation. Mateta, who is currently under contract with Crystal Palace for another year, has been on Villa’s radar since at least the winter window. The 29‑year‑old French forward featured for Palace in their 2-0 loss to Everton over the weekend, reminding Villa scouts of his ability to hold up play and finish chances inside the box.
However, sources close to the negotiations claim that a valuation gap exists between Villa and Palace, complicating any potential deal. The pursuit of Leão appears to be equally, if not more, determined.
The 27‑year‑old Italian winger, who can operate as a central striker or on the left flank, recorded nine goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season. Villa have reportedly been in direct contact with Milan, and both clubs are expected to negotiate terms before the September 1 deadline. Leão’s versatility mirrors that of former Villa forward Morgan Rogers, offering Emery a player capable of occupying multiple attacking roles – as a target man, a second striker, or a wide attacker – thereby providing tactical flexibility.
In addition to Mateta and Leão, Villa have long admired Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who is also expected to depart his current club before the transfer deadline. Jackson has attracted interest from Napoli and several other European sides, but Villa are positioned to make a move for him should Watkins be transferred to Al Hilal, according to Sky Sports. This contingency plan reflects the club’s desire to replace departing talent with players of comparable quality.
Patrick Rowe of Sky Sports highlighted the makeshift nature of Villa’s attack in the recent Brighton loss, noting that Emery was forced to rely on Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley as temporary forwards. With Watkins’ future uncertain, and both Tammy Abraham and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo sidelined by injury, the squad’s attacking depth was severely tested. Rowe also pointed out that Emery’s side, which won the Europa League just a season ago, has seen several key players leave over the summer – Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa have all departed, and Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could be next. The urgency of these recruitment efforts cannot be overstated.
Villa need to fill the void left by outgoing talent and restore a competitive edge before the September 1 deadline. Leão, in particular, would not be a routine signing; his recent dip in form has seen his market value decline, yet his skill set aligns perfectly with Emery’s tactical blueprint. Leão’s pace, technical ability, and physical presence make him an ideal candidate to spearhead Villa’s attack and to provide a focal point for service from the wings.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, speaking on Sky Sports, praised the potential deal, stating, "This would be fantastic news for Villa fans – Rafael Leão would be an incredible signing. I have played with him and seen his speed, power and skill first‑hand. He is perfectly suited to the Premier League; his talent and physical attributes would thrive in England." Begovic also noted that Leão’s development at Milan was hampered by frequent managerial changes, which disrupted his consistency. He drew a parallel with Emery’s impact at Villa, suggesting that the manager could provide the stability and guidance needed for Leão to reach his full potential.
In summary, Aston Villa are actively pursuing multiple attacking reinforcements. They have initiated contact with Crystal Palace for Mateta, are negotiating with AC Milan for Leão, and are monitoring Al Hilal’s bid for Watkins. The club also remains interested in Nicolas Jackson as a possible alternative. With the transfer deadline looming, the decisions made in the coming weeks will shape Villa’s squad composition for the 2024‑25 season and determine whether they can compete effectively on both domestic and European fronts.