The most talked-about story of the Italian summer could be resolved in the next few hours: Rafael Leao’s departure is about to become a reality. The only question is where he will end up. Or rather, there are two possibilities, because Milan have a verbal agreement with both Galatasaray (€45 million in fixed fees plus €5 million in bonuses) and Aston Villa (€8 million for a loan with an obligation to buy for €42 million). Now, however, it is up to the Portuguese forward to decide where he will continue his career after seven years in the Rossoneri shirt, as relayed via Milan News.
The first offer, chronologically, came from Galatasaray, who arrived at Casa Milan with George Gardi himself: €45 million in fixed fees plus €5 million in bonuses. Milan accepted the proposal, reaching a verbal agreement with the Turkish club. Gardi then held talks with the Portuguese forward’s entourage, offering him a salary of €12 million per season. Those figures would make anyone think twice, including Leao himself, who, however, would prefer a move to England.
The Premier League suddenly entered the race through Aston Villa. The English club have put forward a salary of €8 million plus bonuses, which are yet to be negotiated, and, above all, the opportunity to play in the Premier League, which was one of Leao’s priorities at the start of the transfer window. They have proposed the same overall figure as Galatasaray to Milan, but in the form of a loan with an obligation to buy.
Everything, therefore, is now in Leao’s hands and mind: will he accept Galatasaray's multi-million-euro offer, or settle for a salary similar to what he earns at Milan and move to the Premier League with Aston Villa? We will most likely have the answer very soon, within the next few hours.
