Mercato Rafael Leao fuels surprise as Milan chapter closes

Mercato Rafael Leao juxtaposes a cherished seven‑year romance at the San Siro with a startling new chapter abroad. After seven seasons of 291 appearances, 80 goals and 65 assists for the Rossoneri, the 27‑year‑old winger is set to leave AC Milan for an unexpected destination.

Milan legacy and new destination

During his tenure, Leao helped Milan clinch the Serie A title and earned the league’s Player of the Year award in 2022. The club confirmed he will leave in the coming days after 291 matches, 80 goals and 65 assists for the Rossoneri. Après sept saisons, the winger seeks a fresh start beyond Milan.

His name circulated persistently around Aston Villa, where Unai Emery’s side appeared keen to sign him. However, dello Sport reported the Portuguese winger turned down the move, opting for a more surprising destination.

Fabrizio Romano later revealed Leao will join Galatasaray, the Istanbul club that has reached an agreement with Milan. The Turkish side is set to pay Milan more than €45 million, bonuses included, for the transfer.

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The 27‑year‑old confirmed his approval of the deal, giving the green light to the move. The transfer was reported by dello Sport.

Leao will embark on a new championship in Turkey and will be eligible to compete in the upcoming Champions League. His schedule will see him face two former clubs, Lille and Sporting Portugal, adding a personal twist to his Turkish adventure.

The contrast between a beloved Rossoneri figure and a surprise Turkish signing underscores how quickly a player’s career trajectory can shift. Last summer, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Paris Saint‑Germain all showed interest in the winger.