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Rafael Leao in talks over Premier League move in final week of transfer window Aston Villa have held talks with AC Milan over signing Rafael Leao, talkSPORT understands. The Portugal winger has previously expressed his desire to explore a 'new challenge' this summer, insisting he would be open to a move to the Premier League. And Leao could now be offered his opportunity in English football, with Villa keen to bolster their forward line. Unai Emery's side look set to lose striker Ollie Watkins, as talkSPORT understands Al Hilal are confident they will be able to complete a deal for the striker before the transfer window closes. The Saudi Pro League have seen four bids for the England international rejected, who has now returned to Villa training. Watkins was not included in the matchday squad for his side's Premier League opener against Brighton - which ended in a 4-0 defeat - having expressed his desire to leave and join Al Hilal. Leao in, Watkins out? With Watkins looking increasingly likely to depart, Villa have turned their attention to attacking reinforcements. And Leao appears to be among their targets, with talks taking place between Milan and the Villans over a potential move. The 26-year-old is contracted with the Italian giants until 2028, but club chiefs have been reluctant to offer him a new deal, with the player and club having an often fractious relationship. Leao can play as a centre forward or on the left wing and scored nine goals and added three assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season. The Portuguese could be seen as a direct replacement for Morgan Rogers, who left to join Chelsea in a £117million deal. He would also battle Alejandro Garnacho for a starting spot under Emery. Leao isn't Villa's only attacking target, with Crystal Palace rejecting an opening bid to sign centre-forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman is seen as an alternative to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who has long been a target of the West Midlands outfit. Emery's side are frontrunners to sign Jackson, with talkSPORT recently revealing the Blues are set to demand £65m for the Senegal international. Beyond forward line reinforcements, talkSPORT also understands Villa are also in advanced talks over a move for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez. Villa are trying to agree a loan with an obligation to buy for the Ecuadorian centre back. This comes after having two offers rejected by Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and south coast sources have told talkSPORT the two clubs remain some way apart in their valuations. What has Leao said about his future? Earlier this summer, Leao announced publicly he wants a new challenge after seven years with Milan, having long been linked with a move to the Premier League - with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all previously credited with interest In June, he told SportTV: “I want a new challenge out of Serie A. “I 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 or LaLiga 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 a league really gets the best out of a player. “Let’s see what will happen this summer.”