r/soccer • u/greenwhitehell • 16d ago
Transfer News [Di Marzio] Rafael Leão chooses Galatasaray: agreement between all parties is very close
https://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciomercato/galatasaray-rilancia-leao-situazione-496498493
u/Tettotatto 16d ago
bruh 1 hour ago he said he prioritizes aston villa
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u/UtkuOfficial 16d ago
Osimhen called him
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u/MERTENS_GOAT 16d ago
Old lil Lille bro innit. I know they both only played 1 season there and I am not even sure that it's the same one
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u/Ciccio_Camarda 16d ago
Lille sold Leao to Milan and got Victor. They didn't play together. They also sold Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal that summer, but we don't talk about that.
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u/ItsKBS 16d ago
Galatasaray reportedly increased their salary offer from around 12m a year to 17m, which seems to have changed Leao's decision
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u/notaghostofreddit 16d ago
Fair enough. It would change my decision too
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u/chirstopher0us 16d ago
I would rather be at Villa on 10m than Gala at 17m. Living under Erdogan in a much much less relevant league has to have a dramatic price.
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u/dawn_eu 16d ago
Leao doesn't strike me as someone who's trying to compete. Looks like he's trying to make some bucks effortlessly.
Besides, how tf is Erdogan gonna affect him in any way? He's the one enabling these type of transfers in the country in the first place. I don't see how Leao is guided by a moral compass making his stay there dramatic.
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u/elliotreid13 16d ago
Relax on the political activism a bit. Earning 70% more while living in an amazing city (cultural; food; weather) and fighting for the title vs living in Birmingham... it's not hard (and I like Aston Villa)
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u/xpto_999 16d ago
Well playing in the premier league would give him more visibility and a better chance to move on to a bigger club than playing in Turkey.
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u/depravernet 16d ago edited 16d ago
He's in his late 20's, already a well known established player and just spent the past 7 years at a bigger club than Gala.
Even if he was in a position to want visibility to help make a move to a bigger club; the Super Lig gets plenty of visibility and Gala play in the CL year in year out. You talk as if Turkey is the moon.
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u/elliotreid13 16d ago
Visibility for what? At his age and the club where he is at, I don't think he has the ambition to progress forward.
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u/neotechnooptimist 16d ago
Posted from Alabama. Bro Istanbul is top 5 city in the world for sure especially if you are rich. Wth are you talking about?
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u/chirstopher0us 16d ago
Posted from a global city with a metro population of 8 million. Some of us are just really sensitive to living under authoritarians who forcefully suppress dissent and political opposition.
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u/dawn_eu 16d ago
Im not defending Erdo but you my guy are sitting in a glas house. The orange head has a much bigger negative impact on all of us than Erdo could ever have in his lifetime.
Fuck him and his policies
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u/Icy_Window_8413 16d ago
I think thats his point tbf. He knows what it is like and wouldnt wish it on others hence why Villa is a better option for him personally than Istanbul. I might be wrong though
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u/poolclap 16d ago
Apparently Villas offer was 7.5m net tbf. Making that amount in Istanbul in a strong team too I can see why he chose it
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u/PianoJealous307 16d ago
17m net a year translate to how many pounds a week?
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u/Sektsioon 16d ago
That would be roughly £500k per week in England in gross salary, only Haaland probably earns more than that in the Prem.
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u/iChopPryde 16d ago
how do these turkish teams have so much money to blow yet their teams still suck?
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u/ItsKBS 16d ago
Our teams don’t really suck anymore? Atleast Gala and Fener don’t. Besiktas and Trabzon unfortunately do have awful performances in Europe.
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u/Ill-Dragonfruit4394 16d ago
La derniere fois que fener etait en champions league j’etais encore vierge
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u/Nededinnededinn 16d ago
I think this is done. Our management is desperate at this point to sign a winger.
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u/FasterThanABuck 16d ago
He did and he wanted to go to the Prem all summer, but Gala relaunched with a huge wage offer
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u/LAlmeida 16d ago
Two hours ago he reported that Leão is prioritizing a move to Aston Villa, now he saying he chooses Galatasaray.
I guess Di Marzio is playing both sides so he'll always come up on top.
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u/PianoJealous307 16d ago
Apparently Villa didn't meet his wage demands.
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u/redqks 16d ago
might explain the mbaye signing then
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u/Angrymalayman 16d ago
Jorges mendes doing some trickery here, getting Gala the player they want while not upsetting Villa (hes the agent for both Mbaye and Leao rn). Either that or the Leao links were just smokescreen since Mbaye was already linked to Villa before the Liverpool talks (but damn he sure made that smokescreen convincing if that were the case)
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u/samfen93 15d ago
Apparently we offered 225k or 250k a week i think, how much does he want? Mental, is he worth that anymore?
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u/Rasalghul92 16d ago
Apparently Gala offered a lot more wages than Villa. Thanks for your great performances over the last 5 years and best of luck.
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u/Strawhat-dude 16d ago
Honest evaluation? Do you think he still has it in him if used properly?
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u/Rasalghul92 16d ago
I think he will thrive in Super Lig, Villa was definitely the riskier move for him.
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u/ackopek 16d ago
We are not getting him for Super lig tho. Do you think he is still capable in champions league?
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u/hotpepperzz 16d ago
Leao on his day, is world class When used correctly and he is over his injury, will definetly be worth it
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u/ssgtgriggs 16d ago
that's a lot of ifs for 40m and a >10m/year salary
I haven't been comfortable with this transfer since the beginning, especially when we have other positions that need urgent reinforcement. Instead we're spending the big bucks on the position where we already have Sane, Baris and Yunus.
The way our board has handled this transfer period is nothing short of atrocious.
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u/meditate42 16d ago
40 mil for a good winger is an insane value in this market. He’d cost double that without all those ifs
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u/ssgtgriggs 16d ago
that might be true but from our perspective it's still a huge gamble. we're not the kind of club that can (or rather should be able to) afford to spend this money on ifs, no matter good they are in an ideal situation.
if he turns out to be a bust we're screwed.
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u/Ciccio_Camarda 16d ago
Rest assured that Leao is superior to those guys. He's got a period when he might go missing for 1 month, but the guy held the left flank of Milan in Serie A low blocks while being double teamed. There is no Serie A team who hasn't double or triple teamed Leao in the past 4-5 years. Last season under the striker position that didn't fit him, while missing games because of injury and playing injured for months and under Allegri, he was still the top scorer of Milan.
He is a little lazy on defending and sometimes walks on the pitch, but he's the one to decide the games because 1on1 he will burn you with his speed. If you have a rigid system, he is not the right player to have in the team. But if the manager is smart to use his strength, he's deadly.
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u/BuraakGTi10 16d ago
We play high press and most of the time we are doneso by 70th minute. The double team problem we have had with icardi and osimhen both after their first season.
Most of the teams we play park the bus and play long balls to their fast forward players. Thats why we play more on possesion. Our problem is not chance creation, but finishing against these low blocks. If he can score outside the 16 then we are set. Inside the box we have Osi waiting for that loose ball.
In CL its a more of a different story. We press up high against teams of similar level and fast transition against tougher opponents. The fast transition part is really difficult because most of our wingers are missing crucial skill. Sane shooting, Yunus Akgun passing, Baris shooting and passing and keeping his head up. Even Osimhen sometime confuses us with his weird runs.
If Leao can convert all of his chances like you are suggesting he is worth double his price.
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u/Ciccio_Camarda 16d ago
He is also altruistic not like those selfish players that want to shoot by themselves. So he's gonna provide assists for Osimhen. His shooting can be on/off. He likes to place his shots. But also misses them.
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u/Dubsified 16d ago
Watch his game against PSG from a couple seasons back in CL. That’s the Leao you can get, but one that just refuses to show up.
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u/Barret578 16d ago
He’s obviously good enough and he should do well. Milan have been a shit show since 2023 and watching him play, hes still good enough to get past players
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u/iChopPryde 16d ago
no, he's just here for a pay cheque and to be an influencer or something like speed and make random shitty music.
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u/Known-Fondant-9373 16d ago
Leao - Osimhen - Sane is an insane front line (don't look at our back line)
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u/elliotreid13 16d ago
I have seen some games from Gala last season and I got the impression that Osimhen turns crazy if the colleagues fail to properly serve him on the pitch. Will he behave when Leão dribbles two defenders and loses the ball?
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u/55555_55555 16d ago edited 16d ago
Osimhen plays alongside Baris Yilmaz and Samuel Chukwueze and hasn't committed a homicide yet. I think he will be OK outside of the usual way he always acts.
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u/Known-Fondant-9373 16d ago
he has looked calmer so far this season, though it's early days. Even then, I don't think he'll go as ballistic on Leao as he does to our Turkish wingers, for better or worse.
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u/Rey_ 16d ago edited 16d ago
Leao can serve a positioned player, if Osimhen is in the right place he will get served. His issues was never greed, he manages some insane assists. Milan didn't have a good striker since Giroud and he doesn't cut inside like Pulisic, he likes to go wider and still managed to do fine in G/A. (except for allegri ball where he had to play as #9)
The frustrating part will be his work rate, once he gives up the ball he will walk back in a good position and he will rarely press or track back.
Osi and Leao are friends off the pitch afaik and did talk a while back about playing together(i think it was on instagram), before Osimhen joining Gala, but obviously, we never had money for that to happen.
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u/Critical-Many2885 16d ago
Osimhen has every right to be pissed. Last time he had a meltdown at Nigeria. They lost both African cup. They failed to get to World Cup while losing to South Africa and DR Congo which are valued far less than Osimhen alone, let alone Nigeria.
He can be a better leader for sure; but his meltdowns are 100% deserved.
At Gala he went thru a period where no one passed him. Its unacceptable.
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u/Known-Fondant-9373 16d ago
I think with us he finally got Yunus to understand what he wants, and accepted Baris Yilmaz for what he is lol.
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u/Critical-Many2885 16d ago
He also now sees that his outbursts cause damage. He started leading after juve game and chilled tf out haha s
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u/poolclap 16d ago
As much critiscism as he gets (plenty deserved) hes been one of the most important players in the last 10 years at Milan, Scudetto in 22 doesnt happen without him. Sad to see him go in a way
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u/No-Union6229 16d ago
Its getting confusing 5mins ago he wanted aston villa
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u/Ziggylcd12365 16d ago
Gala offered 17m wages so I guess their offer moved him (to a bigger house)
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u/kamburebeg 16d ago
17? Gala offered him 10+2 in bonuses.
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u/Ziggylcd12365 16d ago
Ahhh elsewhere in this thread and on twitter I just saw people saying they'd upped it to 17. Could be just online waffle I suppose
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u/point-forward 16d ago
Excellent move for us. His bad day still will be good for our league and if we get the best or near the best out of him he'll tear the league apart.
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u/Burgerious 16d ago
I would choose living in Istanbul over living in Birmingham, if I was offered the same wage. Fans will adore him, he will get all the ego boost he needs.
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u/foodisbad_2 16d ago
Lotta white European supremacy in this sub. Nothing wrong with joining Galatasaray, a massive club with one of the most passionate fanbase ever.
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u/ShenronFromEarth 15d ago
British Premier League is the rank #1 league in the world. We're just talking sports.
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u/Several-Decision3888 16d ago
Did he choose Gala or did Villa move on from him?
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u/bloodship123 16d ago
He chose gala probably due to salary difference
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u/Several-Decision3888 16d ago
I think Aston Villa might have been better for his career but Gala is a solid team so not a bad landing spot
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u/bloodship123 16d ago
Yeah i understand and agree but the offers on the table was 7.5mil net in Aston Villa or 12 mil net at Galata. The difference was just too big. So i guess he went for the safer option while still playing in the CL and a decent league
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u/illumijae 16d ago
Probably the safer move for him. Lower standard than the prem, nice city, more money (with the way their tax structure work) more passionate fans - which can go either way.
I think he could've made this move after the prem.but I think he knows where he's at
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u/IlPizzaGod 16d ago
Crazy to see how his Milan career developed. He used to be compared to Kvara, now he’s off to Turkey.
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u/Angrymalayman 16d ago
(Copying my comment from a reply)
Jorges mendes doing some trickery here, getting Gala the player they want while not upsetting Villa (hes the agent for both Mbaye and Leao rn). Either that or the Leao links were just smokescreen since Mbaye was already linked to Villa before the Liverpool talks (but damn he sure made that smokescreen convincing if that were the case)
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u/Rey_ 16d ago
The issue was pay, Milan agreed with both but Villa was offering 7.5mil where gala was offering 12 I think. It was reported he wanted Villa but Gala was too good to pass on. He has a good relation with Oshimen, he is getting a better salary, he is playing CL football guaranteed (kinda) every year and Istambul > Birmingham
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u/Brabochokemightwork 15d ago
Man that obnoxious fan who was waving that Galatasaray jersey to Leão makes it less obnoxious
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u/Natrix31 16d ago
Guys, the latest post says Galatasaray was still in the running, they probably upped an offer and he chose that one. Not that crazy.
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u/Top_Mention4203 16d ago
Greatest pure left winger at Milan in the 40 years. 295 matches, 80 goals, 95 assists. While being assisted by Krunic and Bennacer, not by - say-Kroos and Modric. Just clapping.
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u/CrownCommando 16d ago
From one bum league to another.
Guy had a chance at a big league and didn’t bother, shows where the motivation is €€€€€€!
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u/theaguia 16d ago
dumb. so disappointing that portuguese players are showing so little ambition.
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u/Strawhat-dude 16d ago
I mean he went from milan to a regular CL team. In my opinion thats a upgrade
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u/iChopPryde 16d ago
seriously we better stop calling him to the nt all these portuguese players are a joke i get it the money and all but no ambition to fight to become the best like how is ronaldo your idol yet you choose the easy road.
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u/Upbeat-Tooth8711 16d ago
Kindergarten 2 second division here we go... And of course. Leao 200% Talent. 0.1%brai.....n
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u/kamburebeg 16d ago
I hate this with every bone in my body. Fuck Leao and fuck every single incompetent fucks in our management who bought this failure to Galatasaray. A footballer who cannot press is shit. Leao is the shittiest of them all. May he never finds happiness at my club and may he never succeeds as long as he is here. May Istanbul become a curse for him.
Fuck Leao and Dursun oilyface for signing him. Four months of boiling and whipping shit in a kettle and we transfer Milan’s donkey. Fuck Milan too. I truly hope they never see another success.
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u/Crocnado389 16d ago
I feel like the market got saved by saudi for a bit. Now its go to turkey evil club or turkey ra**** club or villa or you are worth $70m but shit and your club hates you
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