Galatasaray has officially begun formal negotiations to sign Portuguese forward Rafael Alexandre Da Conceição Leão from AC Milan. The club notified the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) of this development on August 29, 2026.
According to a report by Hürriyet Spor Arena, the yellow-red administration has reached an agreement with both Milan and the player. The operation is in its final stages, with the transfer expected to be completed for a fee of 40 million euros plus bonuses. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano also reported that Leao is "one step away" from Galatasaray and has given the green light for the move. Final approval is awaited to complete the deal.
What does the Leao transfer mean?
The signing of Rafael Leao will add significant quality to Galatasaray's attacking line. The Portuguese player scored 10 goals and provided 3 assists in 31 official matches for Milan last season. Regarding his transfer, Leao stated, "I am very happy. I am going to a club that does very good work. They were also successful in the Champions League last season." This transfer aims to strengthen Galatasaray's title challenge in the Süper Lig. The team currently sits in 2nd place with 4 points, having scored 6 and conceded 2 goals in two matches.
How did the transfer process unfold?
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Leao chose Galatasaray. Sky Italia reporter Daniele Longo emphasized that the player preferred the Istanbul side over Aston Villa. German journalist Florian Plettenberg wrote that Leao is expected to be in Istanbul on August 30 if everything goes as planned. Following these developments, Leao announced his departure from Milan after their league match against Venezia. "I leave tomorrow. I will always look at Milan. I love Milan and this love will never end," he said.
What is Galatasaray's current situation?
The team has collected 4 points from the first two weeks of the Süper Lig season, placing them in 2nd position. Leaders Gençlerbirliği S.K. have 7 points, leaving Galatasaray 3 points behind in the title race. Their recent form consists of a win and a draw (WD). Goalkeeper Günay Güvenç is currently sidelined due to injury. Their next league fixture is a home match against 5th-placed Alanyaspor on December 20, 2026. You can follow the team's current squad status on our squad page and the league standings on our standings page.
How has Leao's career developed?
Rafael Leao began his football career in the Sporting academy. He transferred to Lille for 20 million euros in the 2018-19 season. Following his performances in France, he signed for AC Milan for 49.5 million euros in the 2019-20 season. The 27-year-old, who also plays for the Portuguese national team, is known for his pace and technical skills. Leao, who sent a "Hello to the great Galatasaray fans" message, aims for a quick adaptation process at his new club. This transfer is expected to positively impact the team's in-season performance and offensive efficiency, which can be tracked on our stats page.
