AC Milan sell Leao to Galatasaray, while Gimenez heads to Porto

Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez have departed AC Milan for Galatasaray and FC Porto after Ruben Amorim declared that they weren’t part of his vision.

Milan officially confirmed that the former Serie A MVP has moved permanently to the Turkish club after seven years with the Rossoneri.

Galatasaray confirmed they’ll pay Milan a fixed €38m, excluding bonuses, to sign Leao, while the Rossoneri will keep a 20% sell-on clause.

The Portugal international, who had two years left on his contract, is set for a big pay rise after moving to Turkey. According to reports, his net wages hit €10 million per season, excluding bonuses.

Galatasaray pulled off a signature coup by beating Aston Villa to the deal for Leao. He was in the final stages of talks with the English club, but they couldn’t match Galatasaray’s offer on either fee or personal terms.

Over his seven years at the club, Leao played in 291 competitive matches across all tournaments, including 227 in Serie A.

The Portuguese star, who won MVP when Milan won the Scudetto in 2021-22, also reached the Champions League semi-final in 2022-23 and lifted the Supercoppa Italiana under Sergio Conceicao in 2024-25.

After landing in Istanbul on Saturday, he was met by crowds at the airport.

Leão has been handed the No. 27 shirt as he joins Victor Osimhen, who also won the Serie A MVP during his stint with Napoli. He will also team up with Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gündoğan, and Davinson Sánchez.

On Sunday, AC Milan announced via its website that Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão has moved permanently to Galatasaray Spor Kulübü.

In another development, Milan have agreed to loan Santiago Gimenez to FC Porto, with an €20m buy option that becomes mandatory if certain conditions are met.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed there’s no loan fee, but the buy option is €18m plus €2m in add-ons.