Rafael Leão is closing in on a move to Galatasaray, but Victor Osimhen’s record as the Turkish club’s most expensive signing is not in immediate danger.
Transfermarkt reports that Galatasaray have won the race for the AC Milan winger after he chose Istanbul ahead of Aston Villa. The reported deal is worth €45 million up front, with another €5 million available in add-ons. That could take the package to €50 million.
Even if every bonus is paid, Leão would still fall €25 million short of Osimhen’s €75 million transfer fee from Napoli in July 2025. The gap is large enough to keep the Nigerian striker at the top of Galatasaray’s transfer list.
Transfermarkt describes Leão as Galatasaray’s second-most expensive signing in history. The 27-year-old Portugal international would move to Istanbul after seven years at AC Milan, where he won Serie A and the Italian Super Cup.
The reported €45 million initial fee would put Leão well above the club’s previous expensive signings. The extra €5 million in possible bonuses could lift the total to €50 million, but that is still two-thirds of Osimhen’s €75 million fee.
There is also an important difference in how the two deals are structured. Galatasaray’s official announcement confirmed that Napoli received a net €75 million for Osimhen. Napoli also kept a 10% share of the profit from a future sale. Osimhen signed a four-year contract starting with the 2025-26 season.
That deal broke the previous Turkish transfer record by a huge margin. Fenerbahce had held the record after paying €20 million for Youssef En-Nesyri in 2024. Osimhen’s move was therefore not only a Galatasaray record but a Turkish football record.
Leão’s arrival would still carry major weight. Galatasaray are adding a player who has won the Serie A title with Milan and who was part of Portugal’s senior setup during a period of major international competition.
When the Leão deal is completed and confirmed, it would give Galatasaray a clear top two on the table of most expensive Turkish football signings, Osimhen at €75 million and Leão below him at €50 million. The next major transfer to Istanbul would need a fee of at least €75 million to take the Super Eagles star’s crown.
Osimhen
The key conclusion is simply that Leão can become Galatasaray’s second-most expensive signing, but Osimhen’s €75m record is still comfortably ahead.
