Leão prefers Turkey to the Premier League: he bids farewell to Milan and chooses his new destination

From the San Siro to Istanbul

Portugal star Rafael Leao has settled his future, and the destination will stun the English and Italian leagues. The Milan winger is on the verge of joining Turkey's Galatasaray in a deal worth a total of 45 million euros.

According to "Sky Sport", the two clubs have finalised their agreement. The Turkish side will pay 43 million euros as a fixed fee, plus 2 million euros in variables and bonuses, while Milan keep a 20% share of any future sale.

From Aston Villa to Istanbul

Leao had made the Premier League his priority. Aston Villa came closest, offering him a verbal annual salary of 7.5 million euros, but the English club never tabled an official bid and the terms fell short of the player's financial demands.

That is when Galatasaray moved in hard. They kept raising their offer and tempted him with an ambitious project until they landed his final approval. Leao will sign a huge contract running until 2030, worth 10 million euros a year plus bonuses.

The story is over: a step from being finalised

Only the final official procedures and the medical now stand between Leao and the completion of the move. He turns a long page with the Rossoneri and begins a new, exciting chapter with the Turkish champions.

Few deals in the history of the Turkish league can match this one. It is a statement of intent from Galatasaray in the transfer market and a clear message to their rivals for domestic and continental dominance.