Milan Transfer Market: Leao Rejects the Offer—What Happens Now?

A sudden setback in Rafael Leao’s transfer. The Portuguese Milan forward was contacted in recent days by Fenerbahçe, which—after a long courtship—is now ready to get serious about his transfer to Turkey: the Istanbul club has presented the player with a substantial offer, nearly 8 million euros in salary plus 4 million in bonuses per season.

Milan has indicated a willingness to sell, but negotiations have stalled due to a series of difficulties: the first concerns financial fair play. Following Greenwood’s arrival, Fenerbahçe must either sell some players to afford the Portuguese winger or secure a discount from Milan, which currently has no intention of going below the asking price of 60 million euros.

But the real obstacle is the player’s own willingness, as he is not currently convinced about moving to Fenerbahçe. The Turkish club is still competing in the preliminary rounds and has yet to qualify for the Champions League group stage, and this is another factor holding Leao back, as he continues to wait for news from England.

Leao’s true dream is, in fact, to move to the Premier League, Europe’s richest league—so much so that in recent weeks he has turned down lavish offers even from Arab clubs. Meanwhile, the player had this to say about his relationship with Milan: “I’d already spoken with the club about the possibility of trying a new experience; I don’t know if it will happen. I have to report there on the 29th, and as long as I’m there, I’ll give it my all, always respecting the jersey that has given me everything.”

“I think it’s a club that has helped me a lot in every way, but in life you also have ambitions for other things, and if it happens, I’ll consider my options, but I remain a Milan player,” he explained. Most of the fans have already written him off, and his return to Milanello is likely to be met with a very cold reception following his latest interviews.