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 dynamic winger Rafael Leão. These moves form part of a broader strategy by the club to bolster its attacking options ahead of the looming transfer deadline on September 1. The Villa board has been actively assessing forward line reinforcements, especially after reports surfaced that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are aggressively pursuing England international Ollie Watkins.
Sky Sports News confirmed that Al Hilal have entered negotiations for Watkins and that at least one of their offers was turned down. The uncertainty surrounding Watkins' future was evident when he was omitted from the matchday squad for Villa's 4-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday. When asked about the omission, manager Unai Emery responded cryptically to Sky Sports, saying, "Ask him.
I can only answer with silence." Subsequent reports indicated that Watkins returned to training on Monday and offered an apology to his teammates for his unexplained absence. Mateta, who has a single year remaining on his contract with Crystal Palace, has been on Villa's radar since the winter window.
The 29-year-old featured for Palace in their 2-0 defeat to Everton over the weekend, showcasing his physical presence and hold‑up play. However, sources suggest there is a valuation gap between Villa and Palace that could complicate any deal. Villa are reportedly prepared to meet Palace's asking price, but negotiations are expected to be delicate given the limited time left in the transfer window. In parallel, Villa's interest in Rafael Leão appears to be more than speculative.
The Portuguese forward, 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. Leão has reportedly expressed openness to a move to the Premier League, and both clubs are now in contact to hammer out the terms before the deadline. If the transfer materialises, Leão would bring versatility, pace, and a direct attacking threat that Villa have been missing since the departures of Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa over the summer. Villa have also kept an eye on Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, who is expected to leave the Blues before the window closes.
Jackson has attracted interest from Napoli and several other European clubs, but Villa see him as a potential target should Watkins depart for Al Hilal. Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe noted that Villa were forced to improvise in attack during their heavy defeat to Brighton, relying on Emi Buendía and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards while both Tammy Abraham and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo were sidelined with injuries.
Emery's squad has been dramatically reshaped this summer. In addition to the players already mentioned, there are rumours that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could also be on the move. The manager now faces the urgent task of rebuilding a competitive lineup capable of challenging for European places.
Bringing in Leão would not simply be a routine addition; the 27‑year‑old has long been linked with a Premier League move and could fill the creative and goal‑scoring void left by Rogers' exit. Leão's ability to play as a centre‑forward, second striker, or left winger mirrors Rogers' flexibility, allowing Villa to deploy him in multiple tactical setups.
Although Leão's market value has dipped slightly in recent months, his potential remains high. Emery has a track record of reviving players' careers, most notably Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, and could apply a similar approach at Villa.
The club can offer him Champions League football, a guaranteed starting berth, and a prominent platform in the Premier League to showcase his talents. For Villa, securing Leão would address the star‑level gap created by recent departures and provide a marquee signing that could excite the fanbase.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begović weighed in on Sky Sports, praising the potential move: "This would be great news for Villa fans. Rafael Leão would be an incredible signing. I have played with him and seen his pace, power, and skill. He is perfectly suited to the Premier League.
At Milan he developed under senior players, but frequent managerial changes have affected his consistency. Working with Emery at Villa could give him the stability and opportunity to become a mainstay in the team." Begović's endorsement underscores the belief that Leão's physical attributes and technical abilities align well with the demands of English football. Beyond the headline targets, Villa's transfer strategy appears to be a balancing act between retaining key assets and injecting fresh talent. The club must decide whether to sell Watkins to Al Hilal, which would free up significant funds but also remove a proven Premier League goal scorer.
If the sale proceeds, it could pave the way for a combined package involving Jackson and possibly Mateta, creating a more diversified attacking lineup. In summary, Aston Villa are actively pursuing multiple avenues to strengthen their forward line before the September 1 deadline. Discussions with Crystal Palace over Mateta, negotiations with AC Milan for Leão, and the potential sale of Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal all form part of a comprehensive plan to rebuild a squad capable of competing on domestic and European fronts.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the club seeks to finalize deals, navigate valuation gaps, and ensure that any incoming players fit seamlessly into Unai Emery's tactical vision.