Rafael Leao has left AC Milan for Galatasaray in a permanent transfer worth €38m, ending the Portugal international’s seven-year spell with the Italian club.
Galatasaray will pay the €38m fixed fee, excluding bonuses, and AC Milan will retain a 20% sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Leao, who had almost two years remaining on his Milan contract, was due to stay at San Siro until the summer of 2028. However, he has now moved to Turkey, where he will receive a substantial increase in salary.
His net wages at Galatasaray will be €10m per season, with bonuses not included in that figure.
Aston Villa had also held talks with Leao and Milan towards the end of the summer transfer window. The Premier League club, however, could not match Galatasaray’s proposal either in terms of the transfer fee or the personal terms offered to the player.
The 26-year-old departs Milan having established himself as one of the club’s principal attacking players since joining the Rossoneri. He made 291 competitive appearances for Milan in all competitions, including 227 Serie A matches.
Leao was named Serie A MVP after helping Milan win the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season. The Portuguese forward was also part of the team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2022-23.
His final major honour with the club came in the 2024-25 campaign, when he won the Supercoppa Italiana under manager Sergio Conceicao.
Leao travelled to Istanbul on Saturday ahead of completing his move and was met by large crowds at the airport after arriving in the Turkish city.
Milan confirmed the transfer in a statement published on the club’s website on Sunday.
“AC Milan announces the permanent transfer of Rafael Alexandre da Conceicao Leao to Galatasaray Spor Kulubu,” read the statement.
The club also thanked Leao for his contribution during his time in the Rossoneri shirt.
“The Club thanks Rafa for the professionalism and passion shown in the Rossoneri shirt over these seven seasons together, during which he contributed to winning the Scudetto in the 2021/22 season and the 2024 Italian Supercup. To Rafa, best wishes, both personally and professionally, in this new chapter of his career.”
Leao’s departure brings to an end a period in which he became closely associated with Milan’s attacking identity and played a significant role in the club’s domestic success. His move to Galatasaray represents a new stage of his career, with the Turkish champions securing his services on a long-term permanent basis.
