Rafael Leao is unveiled as a new Galatasaray player.
Rafael Leao said he turned down a move to Aston Villa when he was unveiled as a new Galatasaray player.
Galatasaray have signed the winger from AC Milan for a package that, according to The Athletic, is worth £38.5million.
Rafael Leao is unveiled as a new Galatasaray player.2
Leao has finalised his summer move to Galatasaray
Across seven seasons with Milan, Leao scored 80 goals and assisted 65 in 291 appearances across all competitions.
He won the 2021/22 Serie A title and 2024/25 Supercoppa Italiana, but has now completed a move to one of Turkey's biggest clubs.
Leao arrived in Istanbul on Saturday afternoon and was greeted by a sea of Galatasaray fans.
Members of the press were also in attendance, with one keen to ask him about the interest from Villa.
"Did you deny Aston Villa and come to Galatasaray?" a media official translated to Leao.
"Yes, because Galatasaray was looking to push this deal since June," the 27-year-old confirmed.
"The president (Dursun Ozbek) and the vice-president (Niyazi Yelkencioglu), they did a really good job, also Jorge (Mendes, agent).
"So, thank you to all the guys who made the deal happen. It's a good opportunity for me... and I will do my best."
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talkSPORT reported earlier this week that Villa held talks with Milan over a move for Leao.
However, despite previously saying he would be 'very happy' with a Premier League move, he has chosen to join Galatasaray.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.2
Leao has confirmed that he rejected a move to Villa
What next for Villa after missing out on Leao?
Although they were unable to sign Leao, Villa remain set to bring in a new option on the wing.
They have reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Ibrahim Mbaye in a £47m deal.
Villa are working on personal terms for Mbaye, a player that Liverpool held exploratory talks over.
He will become the latest winger to move to Villa Park after Alejandro Garnacho, who has joined from Chelsea.
Nicolas Jackson has also swapped Chelsea for Villa as his £65m move was completed on Friday.
It's a club-record move for his new side and he can play against Premier League holders Arsenal on Monday night, live on talkSPORT.