Arsenal offered chance to sign Rafael Leao as AC Milan winger seeks new challenge

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Rafael Leao this summer, with the AC Milan winger publicly confirming his intention to leave the club and reportedly available for approximately £43 million.

The Times reported that Arsenal have been presented with the opportunity to acquire the 26-year-old Portugal international, who has spent the majority of his career in Serie A. Leao’s availability comes after Milan finished outside the Champions League places, settling for Europa League football next season.

Speaking to Sport TV Portugal, Leao made his desire for a fresh start clear. “I’m proud as I made history at AC Milan but I want a new chapter,” he said. “I feel ready to play in another league. I did my best for Milan, but it’s time to try another challenge.”

Across 227 Serie A appearances, Leao has registered 80 goals and 65 assists. Though he was deployed predominantly through the centre as a striker this season — starting just three of his 29 league games from the left flank — his most productive numbers have come from the left, where he has scored 61 times and provided 56 assists in 208 outings.

Arsenal are not the only English club to have been linked with Leao over the years. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been mentioned as potential destinations, though no concrete reports of offers from either club have emerged at this stage.

A move to Turkey had also been mooted, with both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray linked. However, Fenerbahce presidential candidate Safi confirmed after meeting the player that a deal would not happen. “I met Leao a few days ago, but after 10 minutes of chatting, I realised he won’t be our hitman,” Safi said at a press conference. “How did I realise that? Because we asked, we looked into it.”

For Arsenal, the interest fits a broader summer rebuild following their Champions League final defeat. Manager Mikel Arteta is understood to have prioritised reinforcements in four areas: left winger, striker, right-back, and central midfield. Leao, capable of operating across the front line, would address at least one of those needs.