Milan's star winger Rafael Leão is one step away from one of the summer's biggest transfers. According to insider Fabrizio Romano, as cited by Sport RBC.UA, Galatasaray and the Rossoneri have already reached a verbal agreement on the 27-year-old Portuguese's move to Istanbul. The Istanbul club is ready to pay the Italian giant 45 million euros plus bonuses, while negotiations over the final details of the deal are ongoing. In effect, Milan has agreed to the terms of the sale of one of its key players.
Deal structure and financial terms
According to available information, the base transfer fee is 45 million euros, with the possibility of an increase through bonuses. For Galatasaray, this is a significant investment, underpinned by a contract already offered to Leão with an annual salary of more than 10 million euros. Reports suggest that this package was the Istanbul club's main argument in the race for the Portuguese. For Milan, meanwhile, selling Leão means a substantial boost to the budget amid a rebuild of the attacking line.
The player's choice: Istanbul vs the Premier League
Despite the clubs' verbal agreement, the transfer cannot yet be called completed: the final word remains with the player himself. Leão must decide whether to accept a move to Galatasaray or wait for a proposal from Aston Villa. The English club is also interested in the Portuguese and is trying to poach him, but is ready to pay less than the Istanbul side. At the same time, Leão himself has repeatedly expressed a desire to try his luck in the Premier League, which makes his final choice far from obvious.
Contradictory reports
Sources disagree on the outcome of the deal. On the one hand, a number of outlets (in particular, based on Tavoliere's reports and Romano's "Here we go") claim that Leão has already leaned towards Galatasaray and the move is effectively done for 45 million euros. On the other hand, some media report that the Portuguese has, on the contrary, preferred Aston Villa, citing a desire to play in the Premier League. The base material, however, records an intermediate stage: the clubs have agreed, but the player has not yet made a final decision. Until official confirmation emerges, none of the versions can be considered conclusive.
Leão's career context at Milan
The Portuguese winger joined Milan in 2019 from French side Lille and over time earned the trust of the Rossoneri's management. After two seasons in Milan, the forward received a call-up to the Portugal national team, with which, according to available data, he won the UEFA Nations League in 2025. Thus, a possible move to Turkey would become another stage in Leão's career, in which he has already established himself as a star of European stature.
Tactical context at Galatasaray
In Istanbul, Leão could strengthen an already powerful attacking line. Galatasaray have retained Victor Osimhen, who operates as a centre-forward, while the experienced Leroy Sané plays on the right flank. The arrival of the Portuguese could form a strong attacking trio and make the Istanbul club even more prominent against other contenders in the Turkish Super Lig. If the transfer goes through, Leão will become yet another high-profile star of European football to choose the Turkish championship this summer.
