Fenerbahçe Accelerates for Leao: 50 Million Euros Ready

A Serious Move from Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahçe has genuinely entered the race for Rafael Leao's transfer. The club is reportedly ready to negotiate for the player's transfer fee and has offered the Portuguese star an astonishing salary: a net fixed salary of 8 million Euros per year, plus an additional 1.5 million Euros if he plays 20 matches, another 1.5 million Euros if he scores 15 goals, and an extra 1 million Euros if they win the Süper Lig — totaling a 5-year contract.

It is emphasized that Fenerbahçe's intention is not to loan but to make a permanent transfer; there is not even a purchase obligation, as the goal is to acquire the transfer outright. It is noted that the valuation could start around 40 million Euros and rise to 50 million Euros with bonuses.

The Foreign Player Quota Barrier

According to the report, newly elected Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım aims to build a squad that will take the club to the Champions League and bring the Süper Lig title, which has eluded them since 2013-14 (despite four second-place finishes). In line with this goal, it is reported that 40 million Euros were spent on Greenwood, 18 million Euros on Muriqi, and approximately 9 million Euros on Aké during this transfer window. The only missing piece is a left winger — and a significant sacrifice is being prepared for Leao, as it is seen as the only way to outpace Galatasaray, which does not want to invest such amounts.

However, the club faces a serious obstacle: the Süper Lig rules for the 2026-27 season allow each team to have a maximum of 14 foreign players (at least 4 of whom must be born after January 1, 2004). Fenerbahçe currently has 23 foreign players, including new transfers — meaning around 10 players need to be sold or removed from the list.

Among the names being considered in this context are Talisca (with interest from Hull City), Kante (Paris FC), Becao, Omar Fayed, Mimovic, Cherif, Livakovic, and Diego Carlos. After the squad is reduced and the salary budget is eased, Yıldırım is expected to accelerate the move for Leao.

The Mendes Factor

It is reported that Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes plays a key role in this process. Mendes had previously offered Leao to Barcelona, and this season he has also presented him to Barcelona and Manchester United, but these attempts have been unsuccessful as these clubs have completed their wing transfers (Gordon, Adeyemi).

Mendes is said to be pressuring Milan owner Gerry Cardinale to present an offer as soon as possible — it is noted that the two have previously worked together on the transfers of Gonçalo Ramos and Sergio Conceição. Leao is expected to join the training camp hotel in Perth on Wednesday if there are no developments; however, it is reported that the player is not very eager to fly to the other side of the world, yet Milan is not showing flexibility on this matter to avoid lowering the transfer fee.

Milan's Plan B: Karetsas

In the event of Leao's sale, it is reported that Milan will turn to Greek talent Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk. Genk has set a price of 40 million Euros for the player and has rejected a 30 million Euro offer from Borussia Dortmund. Milan owner Cardinale has visited the club's facilities and held a summit with the technical staff, and it is stated that the Karetsas move will only be activated after Leao is sold or if conditions become more favorable.

The information in this report is based on an article published in Gazzetta dello Sport by Andrea Ramazzotti.