The defining story at AC Milan right now is the imminent departure of Rafael Leao, a saga that has dominated the club's final days of the summer transfer window. Galatasaray have submitted an offer of 45 million euros plus bonuses for the Portuguese forward, while Aston Villa have entered the race and pushed the situation into a straight contest between the two clubs. Milan have set their asking price at 50 million euros, and with both clubs now at agreement level with the club, the decision is expected to rest with Leao himself. The window closes on Tuesday, September 1.

The timing of his exit is made easier by what Milan saw in their opening Serie A win at Torino. A 2-1 victory built on second-half goals from Alphadjo Cissé and Adrien Rabiot showed Ruben Amorim's squad carrying genuine confidence. Cissé, 19, was outstanding on debut and now occupies the trequartista position behind Gonçalo Ramos that Leao once considered his own. Amorim said after the game that Cissé looked like the most experienced player on the pitch, which tells its own story about how the manager views the squad rebuild.

Elsewhere in the squad, Christopher Nkunku has officially returned to Leipzig on loan after one difficult season, while Samuele Ricci is heading to Como on a loan deal worth 1.5 million euros with a 20.5 million euro buyout option. With Leao leaving, Milan are scouting replacements including Young Boys trequartista Alvyn Sanches. The club also awaits their Europa League group stage draw, having missed out on Champions League football last season. Venezia visit San Siro on Friday in Matchday 2, with Milan sitting fifth on three points.