Fenerbahçe have stepped up their interest in Rafael Leão, with the Turkish giants preparing a package worth around €50 million, including bonuses, to try and lure the AC Milan winger to Istanbul.
The Portugal international had previously been linked with Barcelona and several Premier League clubs, but the Spanish champions have already strengthened their wide attacking options with the arrivals of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, leaving Fenerbahçe as one of the clubs now pushing hardest for his signature.
Interest from the Turkish side first emerged in May, when former presidential candidate Hakan Safi reportedly wanted to bring Paolo Maldini into the club’s hierarchy. Although Aziz Yıldırım ultimately won the presidential election, Leão has remained one of the club’s priority transfer targets.
Fenerbahçe are prepared to make Leão one of the highest-paid players in Turkish football. According to reports in Italy, the proposed contract includes a guaranteed €8 million net salary per season, plus performance-related bonuses of €1.5 million for making at least 20 appearances, €1.5 million for scoring 15 goals and €1 million if the club wins the Turkish Süper Lig title. The deal could therefore be worth up to €12 million per season.
The move is reportedly being facilitated by influential Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes, who is working to broker an agreement between the parties.
However, there is a significant obstacle. Under the Turkish Süper Lig’s foreign-player regulations, clubs can register a maximum of 14 overseas players. Fenerbahçe currently have 23 foreign players on their books, including recent signings, meaning they must reduce that number before completing any move for Leão.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are expecting the 27-year-old to join the squad in Perth for their pre-season tour following his World Cup commitments. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri are already considering potential replacements should Leão depart.
Their leading target is Konstantinos Karetsas of Genk, although Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the highly-rated Greek teenager. Any deal for the 2007-born midfielder is expected to cost around €40 million.
