--- title: "Rafael Leão on the verge of Galatasaray: Milan agree sale for €45m, but the final say lies with the player" description: "Milan have effectively agreed Rafael Leão's transfer to Galatasaray for €45m plus bonuses. The final decision rests with the Portuguese, who is also weighing an option with Aston Villa." date: 2026-08-28T17:50:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/rafael-leao-galatasaray-45m-transfer tags: [rafael-leao, galatasaray, ac-milan, aston-villa, transfer, premier-league] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Rafael Leão on the verge of Galatasaray: Milan agree sale for €45m, but the final say lies with the player ![Rafael Leao in the AC Milan kit dribbling the ball as his 45m euro transfer to Galatasaray nears agreement](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/28/rafael-leau-perexodit-v-galatasarai-45-mln-evro/rafael-leau-perexodit-v-galatasarai-45-mln-evro-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Milan and Galatasaray have reached a verbal agreement on the sale of Rafael Leão for €45m plus bonuses. - Galatasaray have offered Leão a contract with a salary of more than €10m per year; Aston Villa are ready to pay less. - The final decision lies with the player: he is also considering a Premier League option, which he has repeatedly wanted to join. - Sources disagree: some claim a choice of Galatasaray, others a preference for Aston Villa. 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. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Galatasaray make a serious bid for one of an Italian giant's leaders](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/galatasaray-zrobiv-seryoznu-zayavku-odnogo-1787939242.html) - Подтверждает серьезный интерес «Галатасарая» к Леау и рамки сделки. - [Media: Leão preferred Aston Villa over Galatasaray](https://acmilanfan.ru/content/news/33741/) - Утверждает, что Леау предпочел «Астон Виллу», что противоречит источникам 3 и 4. - [Leão decided to join Galatasaray, not Aston Villa (Tavoliere)](https://by.tribuna.com/football/1113087065-leau-vyrashyu-perajsczi-u-galatasaraj-a-ne-u-astan-vilu-tav/) - По данным Таболиери, игрок склонился в пользу «Галатасарая». - ["Here we go": Rafael Leão moves to Galatasaray for 45 million euros](https://profootball.ua/755833-here-we-go-rafael-leau-perehodit-v-galatasaraj-za-45-millionov-evro/) - Фиксирует сумму 45 млн евро и формулировку 'here we go' о завершении перехода. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How much is Galatasaray paying for Rafael Leão? **A:** According to the insider, the base transfer fee is 45 million euros plus bonuses. ### Q: Is the transfer already completed? **A:** The clubs have reached a verbal agreement, but the final decision remains with Leão himself, who is also considering an option with Aston Villa. ### Q: Why is Aston Villa bidding for Leão? **A:** The English club is interested in the Portuguese, but is ready to pay less than Galatasaray; meanwhile, the player himself has previously expressed a desire to try his luck in the Premier League. ### Q: What salary has been offered to Leão at Galatasaray? **A:** Reports say the Istanbul club has offered a contract with an annual salary of more than 10 million euros.