Fenerbahce candidate: ‘Rafael Leao won’t be our hitman’ despite Milan tension | OneFootball

Rafael Leao announced he wants to leave Milan, but Fenerbahce Presidential candidate Hakan Safi notes even Paolo Maldini won’t bring him there. ‘I met him, but realised he won’t be our hitman.’

There had already been suggestions the club had lost patience with Leao’s inconsistency and was eager to make the sale this summer anyway, seeing as his contract only runs to June 2028.

Late last night, he spoke to Portuguese television and confessed that this was the right time to move on from San Siro to a new experience.

Rafael Leao not looking for Turkish move

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have been reported as showing interest, as confirmed today by Fenerbahce Presidential candidate Hakan Safi.

“I met Leao a few days ago, but after 10 minutes of chatting, I realised he won’t be our hitman,” said Safi during a press conference.

“How did I realise that? Because we asked, we looked into it.”

Paolo Maldini meeting with Fenerbahce Presidential candidate Hakan Safi (Instagram)

Safi is lining up Milan legend Paolo Maldini as his technical director if he wins the Fenerbahce elections, but even this presence couldn’t sway Leao into accepting the move to the Turkish Super Lig.

Instead, he seems to have his eyes set on the Premier League, and is hoping that Manchester United make him an offer.