Fenerbahce are intensifying their pursuit of AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, reportedly preparing a bid of up to €50 million for his transfer, according to reports in Italy. The Turkish club are prepared to offer Leao a net salary of €8 million per season, with potential bonuses of €1.5 million for exceeding 20 appearances, a further €1.5 million for scoring 15 goals, and an additional €1 million for winning the Turkish Süper Lig. The proposed contract would span five years.
The move comes as Fenerbahce’s newly elected president, Aziz Yildirim, aims to build a squad capable of competing for the Champions League and ending their 14-year wait for a Süper Lig title. The club has already invested significantly this transfer window, spending €40 million on Greenwood, €18 million on Muriqi, and nearly €9 million on Aké. They are now seeking to strengthen their attacking options, viewing Leao as a key target.
Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese agent, is reportedly playing a crucial role in facilitating the deal, having previously offered Leao to Barcelona and Manchester United without success. Mendes is acting as an intermediary between Fenerbahce and Milan, leveraging his existing relationship with Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, forged through previous deals involving Gonçalo Ramos and Paulo Fonseca. However, Fenerbahce must first address their squad size, currently exceeding the Turkish league’s foreign player limit of 14, with a requirement for at least four players born after January 1, 2004.
Should Milan agree to sell Leao, they are expected to turn their attention to Konstantinos Karetsas, the 18-year-old Greek forward from Genk. Genk are reportedly holding firm on a €40 million valuation, having already rejected a €30 million offer from Borussia Dortmund. Cardinale met with coach Paulo Amorim at Milanello to discuss potential transfer targets, with Karetsas identified as a priority. Leao, who was named Serie A’s most valuable player in 2021-22, is currently scheduled to join Milan’s pre-season training camp in Perth, but his commitment to the club remains uncertain given the ongoing transfer speculation.
