The evening of 26 August 2026 could be the decisive one for the future of Rafael Leão. According to the latest reports, intermediary George Gardy — a key figure who manages relations between European clubs and Galatasaray — has arrived in Milan to meet with the Rossoneri’s management at Casa Milan headquarters, with the aim of finalising the deal.
The offer rises: negotiations around €45 million
Over the past few hours, the Turkish club’s financial proposal has seen a further upward revision. While the figure circulating during the afternoon stood at around €42 million, by the evening the offer had climbed to approximately €45 million in total, bonuses included. This figure is getting considerably closer to Milan’s expectations, as the club had been targeting at least €50 million from the sale of the Portuguese winger.
The willingness of both parties to reach an agreement appears genuine. Galatasaray has shown serious intent, progressively increasing their offer throughout the day — a strategy that reflects the Istanbul club’s urgency to secure the player before the summer transfer window closes.
Personal terms with the player: €12 million in total
Alongside the club-to-club negotiations, work is also ongoing to reach a personal agreement with Leão. According to the latest information, the Portuguese forward would earn approximately €12 million in total over the course of his contract at Galatasaray — a significant figure that underlines just how determined the Turkish side is to land one of European football’s most dazzling talents of recent years.
For Milan, this would represent a substantial capital gain, allowing the management led by Giorgio Furlani to reinvest fresh resources in the transfer market, further strengthening the technical project of head coach Sérgio Conceição.
Aston Villa step back, Galatasaray the only concrete option
In recent weeks, a Premier League route had also emerged: agent Jorge Mendes had attempted to offer Leão to Aston Villa, with the Villans showing initial interest. However, in these final days of the transfer window, the English club has redirected its attention towards other targets — including Nicolas Jackson — effectively leaving Galatasaray as the sole serious and active contender for the number 10.
Decisive moments: the deal could be sealed tonight
The meeting between George Gardy and Milan’s management, which took place late in the evening at Casa Milan, represents a crucial step forward. It is not done yet, but the scenario is narrowing down to one direction. With the summer window closing imminently, and Milan aware that prolonging the situation would mean keeping a player whose mind is elsewhere, the club appears determined to reach a definitive agreement.
Should the deal be finalised, Rafael Leão would leave Milan after years of unforgettable moments for the Rossoneri faithful — most notably the 2022 Scudetto triumph. A farewell that, if it materialises, will come with the knowledge that the club extracted the best possible outcome given the circumstances. The Rossoneri story moves on, with new protagonists ready to write the next chapters.
