Aston Villa have opened preliminary discussions with Crystal Palace regarding the possible acquisition of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, while simultaneously reaching out to AC Milan to explore the signing of winger Rafael Leão. The club’s transfer strategy appears focused on bolstering its attacking options as it navigates a period of uncertainty surrounding several key players. The Villa board and scouting team have been actively evaluating forward alternatives, especially after reports emerged that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are aggressively pursuing Ollie Watkins.
Sky Sports News confirmed that Al Hilal have entered negotiations for Watkins and have already had at least one of their offers turned down by Villa. The potential departure of Watkins would create a significant void in Villa’s front line, prompting the club to look elsewhere for firepower.
Watkins was conspicuously absent from the match‑day squad for the 4-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday. When asked to comment on his omission, manager Unai Emery replied to Sky Sports with a terse "Ask him. I can only answer with silence," leaving fans and pundits to speculate about the striker’s future.
Subsequent reports indicated that Watkins returned to training on Monday and offered an apology to his teammates for missing the Brighton fixture, suggesting a possible reconciliation but also underscoring the fragile nature of his situation at the club. Jean‑Philippe Mateta, who has a year remaining on his contract with Crystal Palace, 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 defeat to Everton over the weekend, showing that he remains match‑fit and ready to contribute. However, sources point to a valuation gap between Villa and Palace, which could complicate any potential deal.
Both clubs are said to be in contact, but the negotiations will likely hinge on how much Villa are prepared to spend and whether Palace are willing to lower their asking price. In parallel, Villa’s interest in Rafael Leão has intensified. The Portuguese attacker, who can operate as a central striker or on the left flank, posted nine goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season. Leão has reportedly expressed openness to a move to the Premier League, and Villa and Milan are now in dialogue to iron out the terms before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Should the deal go through, Leão would bring versatility and a proven goal‑scoring record to a Villa side that has struggled to replace the output of departing players such as Morgan Rogers. Villa also maintain a long‑standing interest in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who is expected to leave the Blues before the deadline.
Jackson has attracted interest from Napoli and several other clubs, but Villa could move decisively if Watkins departs for Al Hilal, as indicated by earlier Sky Sports reports. The potential acquisition of Jackson would add depth to Villa’s attacking options, complementing any new signings.
The recent 4-0 drubbing at Brighton forced Emery to improvise, deploying Emi Buendía and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards. With Watkins out of the squad due to transfer uncertainty, and both Tammy Abraham and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo sidelined by injury, Villa’s attacking resources have been stretched thin.
This situation comes amid a broader exodus of talent from the club; Europa League‑winning squad members Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already left, and further departures such as Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez appear possible. The urgency to reinforce the squad before the September 1 deadline cannot be overstated. Leão, at 27, offers a blend of speed, technical ability and physicality that could translate well to the Premier League. His experience in Serie A, combined with his capacity to play as a central striker, second striker or left winger, mirrors the flexibility that Villa lost with Rogers.
Although Leão’s market value has dipped recently, Emery’s track record of revitalising players—most notably Marcus Rashford—suggests he could unlock the Portuguese forward’s full potential. From Villa’s perspective, the club can promise Champions League exposure, a guaranteed starting role and a high‑profile platform in England’s top flight. For Leão, joining Villa would mean working under a manager who has demonstrated a knack for developing talent, while also offering the chance to become a marquee player in a competitive league. The alignment of interests makes the potential transfer mutually beneficial.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begović weighed in on Sky Sports, praising the prospect of Leão joining Villa. He highlighted the winger’s pace, power and technical skill, asserting that these attributes would suit the Premier League’s physical demands.
Begović also noted that Leão’s development at Milan was hampered by frequent managerial changes, which disrupted his consistency. He drew parallels to Emery’s impact on Villa players, suggesting that the Portuguese forward could thrive under his guidance. In summary, Aston Villa are actively pursuing multiple forward targets to address the void left by recent departures and injuries.
The club’s negotiations with Crystal Palace over Mateta, its pursuit of Leão from AC Milan, and its continued interest in Nicolas Jackson illustrate a comprehensive strategy aimed at rejuvenating the attack before the transfer window closes. If successful, these moves could restore balance to the squad, provide Emery with the tools needed to compete at the highest level, and offer fans a renewed sense of optimism heading into the new season.