AC Milan has announced that Rafael Leão has signed for Galatasaray on a permanent deal.
After many twists and turns surrounding Rafael Leão’s future at Milan, the player has left the club.
Earlier this summer, Leão announced his desire to leave Milan. However, Milan’s asking price for the player appeared to be an obstacle, and there was subsequent speculation that Leão could stay at the club after all.
Earlier this week there was a breakthrough in the saga at last, as it was reported that Milan were willing to slightly lower their asking price, and both Galatasaray and Aston Villa were willing to make a final push to sign Leão. The question wasn’t if Leão was going to leave, but rather which club would sign him.
In the end it was Galatasaray who won the race for Leão. According to Matteo Moretto, the final deal will be worth 45 million euros as well as a potential bonus fee which is yet to be disclosed. On the other hand, Galatasaray claim that they have paid a base fee of 38 million euros for Leão, and will also pay Milan 20 per cent of any eventual profit if the player is sold.
Leão spent seven seasons at Milan, scoring a total of 80 goals and assisting 59. In the 2021–22 season, he was awarded Most Valuable Player of the Serie A, as Milan won their first scudetto in 11 years.
