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Türkiye's Galatasaray has reportedly joined the race to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao, setting up a fresh rivalry with Fenerbahce, although Italian media reports say the Portuguese winger is not keen on a move to Istanbul and prefers to wait for interest from the Premier League.
According to multiple reports, Milan’s management is preparing for a major summer rebuild after a disappointing season, with the 26-year-old winger emerging as one of the players who could leave the club during the transfer window.
Leao remains one of Milan’s most valuable assets, with the Italian club reportedly willing to consider offers between €40 million ($46.6 million) and €50 million for the Portuguese star this summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have approached the 26-year-old winger in recent days, renewing one of Türkiye’s fiercest football rivalries in the transfer market.
Galatasaray is believed to be leading the race and is prepared to offer Leao a net annual salary of €10 million, the report added. The winger currently earns around €5.5 million plus bonuses at Milan.
Despite the lucrative proposal of the Turkish champions, Corriere della Sera reported that a move to the Turkish Super Lig is not among Leao’s preferred options.
Leao reportedly feels disappointed after realizing he is no longer seen as a central part of Milan’s long-term plans, with the young star believing he deserved more recognition after scoring nine goals despite struggling with injuries and often playing out of position.
The 26-year-old made 31 appearances this season, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists, while also missing 13 matches through injury.
According to the report, Leao’s priority remains a move to the Premier League, although no formal offers from English clubs have arrived so far, leading the player to wait until after the World Cup in hopes of attracting further interest.
Earlier reports in Turkish and Italian media suggested that Fenerbahce presidential candidate Hakan Safi visited AC Milan’s headquarters in early May for talks with club officials, fueling speculation over a potential move for Leao.
The rumors gained further momentum after Safi met Milan legend and former technical director Paolo Maldini during the Italian icon’s visit to Istanbul. Following the meeting, Maldini shared a photo on Instagram and wrote, "We had great discussions about football and I’m sure we will continue sharing many more moments together in the future."
Speaking later to Turkish media, Maldini described Safi as a close friend and said the businessman had been influenced by both his playing career and his recent work at Milan.
"Hakan Bey was impressed by the role I played in Milan’s history and by what I achieved at the club in recent years," Maldini noted, adding that Safi regularly exchanges ideas with experienced football figures regarding Fenerbahce’s future sporting structure.
Maldini also clarified that he would not take on an official role in Fenerbahce’s management even if Safi wins the club’s presidential election on June 7, although the contact was widely viewed as a sign of the candidate’s growing ties with figures close to Milan, potentially strengthening Fenerbahce’s position in any future move for Leao.
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