Leao Farewell Milan Galatasaray Move Nears After Emotional Goodbye

The Leao Farewell Milan Galatasaray transfer saga reached an emotional peak on Friday, as Portugal winger Rafael Leao bid goodbye to AC Milan amid reports the Serie A club has accepted a €45 million ($52.12 million) offer from Turkish side Galatasaray. Leao was left out of Milan’s squad for a 2-0 Serie A win over Venezia at the San Siro, a game he watched from the sidelines as speculation over his exit intensified.

Seven Years That Defined the Leao Farewell Milan Galatasaray Story

“It’s a difficult time,” Leao told Sky Sport Italy after the match. “I’ve said goodbye to my teammates after seven years. Milan helped me grow and understand what top-flight football is all about. The time has come to say goodbye. I might have liked to say goodbye in a different way. The fans supported me even during the tough times.”

A product of Sporting Portugal’s academy, the 27-year-old joined Milan from French side Lille in 2019 and grew into one of the club’s most important attacking players. Across 291 appearances in all competitions, Leao scored 80 goals and provided 65 assists, numbers that place him among the more productive wide players in Milan’s recent history. He helped the club win the Serie A title in 2021-22 — Milan’s first league crown in over a decade at the time — and the Italian Super Cup during the 2024-25 season.

A Deal That Still Needs Finalizing

Leao’s contract with Milan runs until June 2028, meaning any move to Galatasaray would require the Turkish club to meet Milan’s valuation well ahead of the deal’s natural expiry. Media reports indicate Galatasaray’s €45 million bid has already been accepted by Milan’s hierarchy, though as of Leao’s comments, the transfer had not been formally completed. “I know what I’ve achieved here; I’ll go down in the club’s history. All I can do is say thank you,” he said.

The move would represent a significant statement of intent from Galatasaray, which has increasingly used its resources to attract established European talent in recent transfer windows as the club pushes for a stronger run in continental competitions.

Milan Moves On Under Amorim

Leao’s likely departure comes at a moment of transition for Milan, which appointed former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim in June following a disappointing campaign that saw the club miss out on Champions League qualification. Despite losing a key attacking piece, Milan have made a strong start to the new season, winning their opening two Serie A matches without Leao in the squad for the most recent of them.

“Today, Milan showed great quality and have a great manager,” Leao said of Amorim. “He’s someone who can help Milan win major trophies. It’s the sort of football I like.”

What’s Next for Leao

Leao has been capped 49 times by Portugal and represented his country at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, meaning any move would also need to be managed carefully around his international commitments. For now, he has made clear his connection to Milan won’t disappear even if the transfer goes through. “My love for Milan will never end; even from afar, I’ll always be watching them,” he said. “There are times when you have to make a decision and choose a different path. Life doesn’t end here. I cried; I was moved.”

Reporting via CNA/Reuters.

Should the transfer go through, it would mark one of the more high-profile departures from Serie A this window, and a statement signing for Galatasaray as the Turkish club looks to build a squad capable of competing more consistently on the European stage. For Milan, the challenge now shifts to Amorim, who will need to find a way to replace Leao’s output on the wing without disrupting the momentum the club has built in the season’s opening weeks.

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