AC Milan have rejected a loan approach from Galatasaray for Rafael Leão and remain adamant that only a permanent transfer will be considered for the Portugal international this summer.
The 26-year-old is actively seeking a departure from San Siro ahead of the new campaign, with his preference being a move to either the Premier League or La Liga. However, with no firm proposals emerging from those divisions, Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are preparing rival bids to tempt him to Istanbul.
Turkish interest intensifies
Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Galatasaray submitted an official offer to take Leão on loan with an option to buy at the season’s conclusion. Milan dismissed the proposal immediately, conscious that the winger’s contract runs until June 2028 and that they therefore hold a strong negotiating position.
Separately, Turkish transfer specialist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu claims Fenerbahce will send emissaries to meet Leão personally in Italy next week. The Istanbul club publicly denied making any offer to the player or Milan, though it is worth noting they issued similar denials shortly before completing the permanent signing of Mason Greenwood from Olympique Marseille.
Current situation and preferences
Leão is currently in Brazil attending promotional events for his clothing brand, where he met childhood hero Neymar. He is expected to join Milan’s pre-season tour in Australia imminently, creating a compressed timeframe for any deal to materialise.
Despite the Turkish overtures, sources close to the player indicate he would rather wait for opportunities in England or Spain. Milan’s refusal to sanction a loan arrangement complicates matters, forcing interested clubs to finance a full transfer for the former Lille attacker.
With three years remaining on his deal, Milan can afford to stand firm on their valuation, leaving Leão facing a dilemma between holding out for his preferred destination or accepting the financial muscle of the Turkish market.