Leao closing on Milan exit: Galatasaray in pole, Aston Villa pull out

The Rossoneri's summer saga enters its decisive phase: Rafael Leao is close to leaving Milan, with Galatasaray reported as the front-runners for the Portuguese. In the last few hours Aston Villa, long in the race and up to a 42-million-plus-bonus counter-bid, have pulled out, leaving the Turkish side as the main suitor according to Calciomercato.com, Sky Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The picture had been clear since the start of the month: Planetwin365 reported Leao looking for a club in the Premier League, with early soundings linked to Arsenal, Leeds and United. The distance from Milan then showed on the pitch too, when Sky Sport reported that the Portuguese had missed the Rossoneri's friendly against Manchester United.

As the end of the window approached, the race narrowed to two options. Sky Sport placed both Aston Villa and Galatasaray on Leao's trail, first flagging fresh contacts with the English club and then the resistance of the Turks, described as refusing to give up on the player.

On the figures it was Calciomercato.com that stepped in: on 26 August the outlet spoke of a Galatasaray now a step away, with a deal worth 45 million euros and only the agreement with the player still to be found. A few hours later, overnight, the same Calciomercato.com noted Aston Villa's counter-bid, worth 42 million plus 3 in add-ons to Milan and a 7-million wage for Leao.

The turning point came in the last few hours. Sky Sport reported an outline agreement between Galatasaray and Milan, with Aston Villa still coming back in; shortly afterwards La Gazzetta dello Sport flipped the scene, describing an Aston Villa pulling out, with Galatasaray still in the race but with two obstacles left to clear. Eurosport were on the same line, saying that only the Turkish club now remains for Milan to sell Leao.

Corriere dello Sport placed the Leao-Galatasaray negotiation down to the details, while Gianluca Di Marzio called today crucial hours for the future of the Portuguese, now close to leaving Milan. The centre of gravity of the deal has thus shifted firmly towards Istanbul.

What is missing to close it: according to Calciomercato.com the agreement with the player on his contract still has to be found, while Gazzetta still flags two obstacles on the path. On the table are the figures cited by the sources - 45 million for the Galatasaray route - and the race against time before the window shuts.

TransferBeat aggregates transfer news citing the original sources. Developing story.