Leao leaves AC Milan for Galatasaray in €45m transfer
After seven seasons and 291 matches in a Milan shirt, Rafael Leao is set to join Galatasaray for over €45 million including bonuses, according to Fabrizio Romano and Gazzetta dello Sport.
Rafael Leao is leaving AC Milan to join Galatasaray, with the Istanbul club reaching an agreement with the Rossoneri for a sum exceeding €45 million including bonuses. The 27-year-old Portuguese forward has given the green light to the transfer, according to consistent reports from Fabrizio Romano and Gazzetta dello Sport.
The destination comes as a surprise. In recent days, Leao’s name had been circulating insistently with Aston Villa, but the Portuguese player ultimately declined the offer from Unai Emery’s club in favour of the Turkish Süper Lig. Last summer, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain were among his declared suitors.
After seven seasons at Milan — 291 matches, 80 goals, 65 assists — Leao closes a major chapter of his career. His record includes an Italian championship title in 2022, the season in which he was also crowned Serie A’s best player.
Formed at Sporting Portugal before spells at Lille, the winger will discover a fourth different league. Next season will offer him an unprecedented double fixture: Galatasaray, qualified for the Ligue des Champions, will face in the group stage or qualifying rounds two of his former clubs, LOSC and Sporting Portugal.
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