Rafael Leão has arrived in Istanbul to complete his permanent transfer to Galatasaray, with Milan set to receive an initial €45m plus bonuses for the forward.
The two clubs reached a total agreement yesterday on a permanent deal that also entitles the Rossoneri to a percentage of any future sale. Leão touched down in Turkey this afternoon and was greeted by huge crowds of Galatasaray fans at the airport. Turkish fans have always been good at creating an electric atmosphere, but the star power of the Portuguese international clearly helped draw the vast numbers to the terminal. The forward walked out and stopped to pose for photos with the supporters, taking in the scale of the reception.
The transfer frees up space on Milan's accounts and allows the club to register a decent capital gain before the window closes. With the books slightly healthier, the management has an opportunity to act. Gerry Cardinale has decided to stay in the city until the deadline, meaning the freed-up funds could perhaps be used to make one or two signings in these final days of the mercato.
With the funds secured, the next move belongs to Gerry Cardinale and the Milan management.