‘I need a new challenge’ – Milan’s Leao eyeing Premier League transfer

Rafael Leao expressed his desire to seek a new challenge away from AC Milan, with the Premier League his preferred destination should an opportunity arise in the summer. 

Leao has been with Milan since 2019, when he joined the Serie A giants from Lille, and has gone on to win two major honours, including the Scudetto in 2021-22. 

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Rossoneri after a disappointing 2025-26, where he managed just 13 goal involvements (10 goals, three assists) in all competitions. 

Since joining the club seven years ago, Leao has registered 135 goal involvements in all competitions, a total only bettered by Dusan Vlahovic (138), Ciro Immobile (149), Romelu Lukaku (157) and Lautaro Martinez (203) among players from Serie A. 

But after Milan missed out on a spot in the Champions League, with Massimiliano Allegri sacked as a result, Leao believes that now is the best time to move away from Milan. 

“I need a new challenge,” Leao told Sport TV in Portugal ahead of the World Cup campaign, as quoted by Football Italia.  

“I have already won two trophies in Italy and have been there for a while.

“The league is evolving, but for my style of football, I think the Premier League would make more of my talent as a player.

“If a Premier League opportunity were to come along, I would be very happy. I think that I can put my talent up against the players there who are of a very high level.

“Playing in that kind of league really gets the best out of a player.”

It has been reported that both Manchester United and Arsenal are monitoring Leao’s situation, though the Portugal international is not out of contract at Milan until 2028. 

Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have also registered their interest, according to reports, but Leao has made it clear he does not want to sign for either. 

Milan’s league season saw them finish on 70 points. In the three-points-for-a-win era, it is the first time they have finished outside of the top four in Serie A. 

Leao predominantly operates in the wide positions across the forward line, but under Allegri last season, he was played more as a centre forward. 

And Leao believes not being able to play in his natural position caused his form to dip, conceding: “It was a difficult season.

“We didn’t get into the Champions League. I played while injured for four to five months with a groin inflammation, in a position that was not suited to me.

“The tactical system did not help. I felt that I could make the difference, but the way the team played didn’t put me in a condition to do that. At the end of the day, it wore me down.”