Istanbul rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are both pursuing AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, who has expressed interest in a new career chapter.

Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have emerged as the primary contenders to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao. The 26-year-old Portuguese international, who joined Milan in 2019, has confirmed he is open to new opportunities despite his contract running through June 2028. While Milan is prepared to consider offers to manage their wage bill, no formal agreement has been reached with either Turkish club.

Fenerbahçe's Direct Approach

Fenerbahçe has initiated direct contact with AC Milan, with board member Cihan Kamer traveling to Italy for exploratory discussions. The club is reportedly considering a package worth approximately 40 million euros and has engaged in talks with Leao’s representatives regarding a potential long-term contract worth between 8 million and 12 million euros net per season. Fenerbahçe has denied reports of a 100 million euro offer, stating their current focus is on their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign.

Galatasaray's Patient Strategy

Galatasaray is pursuing a more measured approach, maintaining contact with Milan through intermediaries. The club is exploring a loan-to-permanent transfer structure and has reportedly offered an annual salary of around 10 million euros plus bonuses. Unlike Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray has already secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League league phase, a factor the club believes could be decisive in attracting the player.