A development that saddened Galatasaray in the Leao transfer.

A development that saddened Galatasaray in the Leao transfer.

18.08.2026 19:21

A striking claim has emerged regarding Rafael Leao, who is on Galatasaray's transfer agenda. According to news in the Italian press, an agent wants to take the Portuguese star to Chelsea.

While the future of Rafael Leao, who is widely expected to leave Italian Serie A club Milan, remains uncertain, the Italian press has made a claim that will upset Galatasaray fans.

ROMA BACKED OFF

According to reports from Italy; Roma, one of the Serie A teams interested in the Portuguese star, has withdrawn from the race due to the player's high transfer fee, salary costs, and Leao's reluctance to transfer to another team within Italy.

TO CHELSEA IN NETO'S PLACE

After Roma's withdrawal, a move that changed the transfer balances came through an agent. It was stated that as the possibility of Chelsea's Pedro Neto transferring to Manchester City or Al-Hilal strengthened, agents offered Leao to the London club. It was emphasized that the star footballer could take the place of his Portuguese national team friend Neto.

SAUDI OPTION ALSO ON THE TABLE

The report also emphasized that Saudi Arabian clubs' interest in Leao continues, but the player has put this option on the back burner for now.

PATHS WILL SEPARATE BY END OF MONTH

While it is claimed that Milan and Rafael Leao will definitely part ways by the end of August, the emergence of the Chelsea possibility has made Galatasaray's job in this transfer more difficult.

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