Rafael Leao Chooses Galatasaray as Aston Villa Decline to Improve Offer
Quick summary
Rafael Leao has opted to join Galatasaray after Aston Villa refused to raise their bid, with the AC Milan forward preferring the Turkish club's proposal.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRafael Leao has chosen Galatasaray after Aston Villa failed to raise their proposal sufficiently to satisfy the player or Milan, claim multiple reports, so the Turkish side will pay €45m plus €2m add-ons.
Multiple sources this afternoon including Sky Sport Italia , Sportitalia, Sport Mediaset and more all give the same confirmation, that Leao has made his decision.
It was known last night that Galatasaray had agreed terms with the club, and were offering a higher salary to the player too compared to Aston Villa.
Rafael Leao ultimately picked Galatasaray HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 23: Rafael Leao #17 of Portugal celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) Nonetheless, it was assumed that the Portugal international was leaning towards the Premier League over the prestige and the opportunity to take the bigger spotlight in Birmingham.
There were two main issues that ultimately Aston Villa were unwilling to overcome, the first was t heir proposal to Milan of only a loan with obligation to buy at the end of the season rather than a full purchase.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The other was the wages, giving Leao just €7m per season rather than the €10m including add-ons that he would pocket in Istanbul.
Ultimately, Leao accepted the Galatasaray proposal and could fly out for his medical tests within the next 24 hours.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 11: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is hugged by Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan had originally wanted €50m plus €10m add-ons to make the sale, but realised their rapport had come to an end, so were prepared to accept just €45m plus €2m in performance-related bonuses.
There is also a percentage of the future sale fee that will go to the Rossoneri, while Leao can sign a contract worth €12m per season net.
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What happened
Rafael Leao has made his decision: Galatasaray over Aston Villa. The Portuguese winger, one of AC Milan's most valuable assets, is said to have chosen the Süper Lig champions after Aston Villa declined to improve their financial offer. The move would represent a significant shift in Leao's career, taking him away from Serie A and into Turkish football, where Galatasaray have been ambitious in the transfer market.
Chance analysis
Rafael Leao's reported preference for Galatasaray over Aston Villa is a striking development in the summer transfer landscape. Aston Villa's reluctance to meet the asking price signals that the Premier League side viewed the deal as commercially unviable, while Galatasaray's willingness to push through a deal underscores the Süper Lig's growing financial muscle and ambition on the European stage. For AC Milan, losing a player of Leao's caliber — a focal point of their attack for several seasons — would be a major blow regardless of the fee recovered.
AC Milan lose a talismanic winger and significant attacking output; Galatasaray gain a world-class forward; Aston Villa pursue alternative targets.