Arsenal Vs Tottenham Derby Pause as Rafael Leao Talks Heat Up — What Supporters Should Watch

Why this matters to fans now: With arsenal vs tottenham just behind them, Arsenal enter a week-long break that both soothes fatigue and amplifies transfer speculation — most notably the club’s contact with Rafael Leao’s representatives. That pause matters because the squad faces a congested March schedule and possible summer business that could change the left-wing pecking order and squad planning for the 2026–27 campaign.

Arsenal Vs Tottenham: what this moment means for supporters

Fans get a rare chance to reset after the north London derby, but the lull will be full of decisions that directly affect matchday selection and long-term hopes. Arsenal hold a narrow lead in the Premier League title race and have been playing matches every three or four days, so transfer moves and contract shifts over the coming months will be judged through the lens of sustained competitiveness across multiple fronts.

Transfer activity and where Rafael Leao fits in

Arsenal have held initial talks with Rafael Leao’s representatives as the club eyes a potential summer move for the AC Milan forward. The Portugal international has been on Arsenal’s radar for several years and the club has stepped up pursuit ahead of the 2026 summer window. Sporting director Andrea Berta has held face-to-face talks with Leao’s representatives, and Leao has instructed his camp to engage in negotiations for a summer deal; he is yet to discuss a potential move personally.

Milan would entertain offers because Leao will have two years remaining on his current contract at the club this summer, and the Serie A side are prepared to sell for a fee in the region of €75–80 million. The figure has also been discussed as €80m (noted alongside a conversion near £69. 9m) and elsewhere as a valuation understood to be around £70m. Manchester United have been identified as another interested party, while Arsenal are described as the frontrunners in the current picture.

Contract developments and a parallel narrative

Recent updates indicate Leao is edging closer to signs of renewed commitment to Milan: renewal talks are said to have ramped up after negotiations began a couple of months ago. He has reportedly sent a clear message to the Milan board about an extension, and all parties are evaluating the structure of a new contract that could be agreed in the coming months. Leao is not due to become a free agent until 2028. This strand is developing and details may evolve.

Squad context, performance signals and alternative targets

Arsenal did not sign a dedicated left-winger in the last summer window, and internal form has complicated immediate decisions. Eberechi Eze has struggled to adapt to the manager’s demands out wide or centrally. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have shared left-wing duties this season; both players’ long-term futures are described as uncertain. Martinelli has scored 10 goals in cup competitions — including six in the Champions League — but has only one Premier League goal and was singled out after a 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both Martinelli and Trossard could leave as free agents in 2027, and Martinelli’s deal includes a 12-month extension option, though a long-term renewal may not be on the cards if league form does not improve.

Given that context, a left-wing upgrade is a priority for the sporting director. Other names reportedly on Arsenal’s radar include Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito, a rekindled pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.

Here’s the part that matters to readers: the squad picture, contract negotiations and a busy March calendar will all influence whether summer money is spent and where.

• Leao’s recent output: 11 goal contributions in 20 matches this season have been cited alongside a statline of eight Serie A goals in 18 league appearances this campaign; across his Milan tenure he has 79 goals and 64 assists in 280 appearances since joining from Lille for £43. 3m in 2019.
• Price range linked to a sale: €75–80m, sometimes expressed as €80m or approximately £69. 9m/£70m.
• Arsenal’s recruitment context: no left-wing signing last summer; potential priority to upgrade that area.
• Competing interest: Manchester United are named as another strong suitor; Arsenal described as current frontrunners.

Fixture congestion and immediate calendar priorities

Arsenal have a week-long break to recover after the north London derby, and then face a key sequence of fixtures. The club will prepare for another London derby against Chelsea on Sunday, March 1; that match at the Emirates Stadium is a repeat of a Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg earlier this month which Arsenal won 1-0. March also features a trip to Brighton, an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Mansfield Town, Champions League last-16 matches and a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City — a packed period that amplifies the importance of squad depth and any incoming signings.

It’s easy to overlook, but the timing of transfer moves against this schedule will dictate how quickly a new signing can be integrated and judged.

Peripherals and player interest shaping the narrative

Separately, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman has publicly expressed admiration for Arsenal’s style and coaching. The 23-year-old completed a £35m transfer from PSV to Leverkusen last summer and has said he would love to play for Arsenal, citing the club’s coach and system as a fit. He also noted that Arsenal’s Champions League performances can look different from their domestic games and that set-pieces are one part of their scoring profile.

The real question now is how club decision-makers balance contract developments at Milan with their own recruitment priorities and a congested matchlist. Recent updates indicate competing narratives — active talks with Leao’s camp on one hand and renewed contract momentum at Milan on the other — and both will shape whether a summer move is realistic or postponed.