After seven years in Milan, Rafael Leao to Galatasaray sees the Portuguese winger switch from the red and black of AC Milan for the dark shades of red and yellow of the reigning Turkish league champions. In a £37 million move, Leao has waved goodbye to a country that he called home for the last seven seasons.
Arguably one of the best wingers in Serie A over the last couple of seasons, the 27-year-old has been rumoured to be linked with several top clubs in his career, but during this summer transfer window, it was a straight battle between a move to Turkey and a move to the Premier League. Aston Villa were the interested party from England, but failed to lure the winger, as the Rafael Leao to Galatasaray move came to fruition.
Known for his crazy speed, insane dribbling and his eye for a goal and an assist, Leao’s transfer to the Super Lig marks another superstar making their way to Turkey in the look for greater success, a keen eye for trophies and the chance of making their name on the European stage in the UEFA Champions League.
Rafael Leao To Galatasaray: Portuguese Winger Finally Moves On From Milan
In the years gone by, Leao has been in talks or rumoured to be joining many clubs. From the likes of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona to Premier League and Bundesliga links, the Portuguese winger has been admired by many teams around Europe for his dazzling displays for AC Milan. However, even with those teams sniffing around, he has stayed loyal to the Rossoneri but chose this summer transfer window as the right time to leave the club.
With almost 300 games in the red and black of AC Milan under his belt, he spent seven full seasons with the Italian giants after attracting interest from them following his breakthrough season at Lille as a 20-year-old back in the 2018/19 campaign. He may have started life in Milan slowly, but by the end of his stay, he netted 80 goals and provided 55 assists.
Last season, in a struggling AC Milan side that only managed to finish fifth in Serie A, he netted nine goals and provided three assists. With his goal contributions and his big chance creation being key for the Rossoneri, Leao’s transfer to Galatasaray will come as a tough pill to swallow for the Italian giants.
However, with that being said, AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim opts to play with a three-at-the-back system, and with the signing of Goncalo Ramos as the sole focus up top, the Portuguese winger has seemingly been replaced by his fellow countrymen in the newly rebuilt AC Milan side.
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Rafael Leao To Galatasaray: Another Star Joining The Turkish Super Lig
The Portuguese winger is not the only player this summer to be trading a top five league for the Turkish Super Lig this summer, as Mohamed Salah made the move from Liverpool to Trabzonspor on a free transfer earlier in the window. The Egyptian star made his way to Turkey after leaving Merseyside following a nine-season stay at Anfield.
With that being said, the Rafael Leao to Galatasaray transfer sees him link up with German winger Leroy Sané, Nigerian sharpshooter Victor Osimhen, German midfield maestro Ilkay Gündoğan and Colombian defensive machine Davinson Sánchez, as Gala look to defend their Super Lig crown in the 2026/27 season.
In addition to that, during this summer transfer window, we have seen an influx of players going over to the Turkish Super Lig. The aforementioned Salah made his move, with his ex-Liverpool teammate Fabinho linking up with him at Trabzonspor. Fenerbahce confirmed the signings of Nathan Ake, Romelu Lukaku, and Mason Greenwood this summer, whilst Besiktas have signed Alexander Nubel, Leandro Trossard and Dusan Vlahovic.
With Leao’s transfer to Turkey, it is another big-name player who has made the switch over to the Super Lig. This could well and truly be a massive signing of intent for Galatasaray, who look to defend their league crown, but also look to trouble the European giants in the UEFA Champions League this season.
The ExtraTimeTalk Verdict
The Rafael Leao to Galatasaray transfer is most definitely a massive coup for the reigning Turkish Super Lig champions, who look to boost their squad ahead of another tough season.
The Portuguese winger’s speed and dribbling ability, alongside his European experience, will be a huge boost for Galatasaray, as the Aslanlar look to trouble the European giants in the UEFA Champions League this season.
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