Portuguese international forward Rafael Leão has confirmed his departure from Italian club AC Milan, with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray expected.
The 27-year-old attacker announced his decision in the mixed zone on Friday following AC Milan's 2-0 victory against Venezia in the second round of Serie A.
Speaking after the match, Leão said that it was a difficult moment for him after seven years at the club. He added that the time had come to say goodbye to his teammates and expressed his gratitude to the Italian team.
The winger stated that he would surely remain in the club's history for everything he achieved in Milan. He declared that his love for AC Milan would never leave him and that he would continue to follow the team, even from a distance.
According to the Italian press, Galatasaray is expected to pay up to 45 million euros to secure the signature of the Portuguese international. Leão is expected to sign a contract with the Istanbul club that will keep him in Turkey until 2030.
Financial details and Milan career
Leão arrived at AC Milan in 2019 after transferring from French club Lille. Over his tenure in Italy, the player made 291 appearances across all competitions for the rossoneri and scored 80 goals.
During his spell with AC Milan, the forward helped the club win the Italian Serie A championship title in 2022. He also won the Italian Super Cup with the team in 2024.
The departure comes following two seasons of lower performance. Leão scored nine goals in Serie A during the 2025/26 season, a period in which his output and commitment levels drew criticism from both supporters and club executives.
Before playing in France for Lille and moving to Italy, Leão began his career in Portugal, having developed through the youth academy at Sporting CP in Lisbon.
Squad changes under Rúben Amorim
AC Milan is currently managed by Portuguese head coach Rúben Amorim. During the summer transfer window, the Italian club invested heavily in its attack by signing Portuguese international striker Gonçalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain.
Milan paid a fee of 74 million euros to sign Ramos from the French champions, setting a new club transfer record.
Ramos scored his first goal in Serie A for Milan during Friday's 2-0 win over Venezia. Rafael Leão was absent from the match squad for the fixture.
The victory against Venezia gave AC Milan six points from their opening two matches, placing the rossoneri provisionally at the top of the Italian league table.
Portugal national team manager Roberto Martínez has defended Leão amidst his club transition, stating he hopes to have the forward available for Portugal's debut in the 2026 World Cup.
