Spain striker Álvaro Morata has officially joined Galatasaray from AC Milan on loan, with the agreement unveiled late Sunday. The Turkish Super Lig champions confirmed the financial details of the transfer, which will see the striker on loan until January 20, 2026.
Galatasaray is set to pay €6 million (approximately $6.1 million) to Milan for the privilege of keeping Morata until the loan’s conclusion. Upon the loan's expiration, the Turkish club holds the option to make the deal permanent for €8 million, should they choose to activate this clause.
Should the purchase option be exercised, Morata, who has had quite the career—having played for clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Juventus—will earn €6 million per season with the team. Up to this point, the 32-year-old has netted six goals and provided two assists across 25 appearances for Milan this season.
Interestingly, Morata’s move to Galatasaray marks his exit from AC Milan after just six months, following his transfer from Atletico Madrid last summer for €13 million. His relatively short stint at the Italian club was reportedly hindered by performance issues; concerns about his lack of goals became apparent, and with the recent change in head coach to Sergio Conceicao, there were doubts about Morata's role moving forward.
AC Milan confirmed the loan, thanking Morata for his commitment and professionalism during his time with the club: “We wish him all the best in his professional and personal life going forward,” they remarked. The official statement from the club affirms Morata’s departure and the arrangement for his temporary transfer.
Galatasaray's statement detailed the arrangement, confirming they will provide €3 million for the second half of the 2024-25 season and another €3 million for the first half of the 2025-26 campaign. The specifics also included provisions for extending the loan or purchasing Morata at later stages if certain conditions are met. If Galatasaray opts not to finalize the transfer by early 2026, they could extend the loan until June 30, 2026, paying additional fees accordingly.
The unexpected nature of Morata’s move has elicited comments from his former teammate and AC Milan advisor, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic stated, “Alvaro is a great person and a great player. I wish him the best because he deserves it. Certain situations for different reasons it doesn't click. It happens.” This highlights the shared sentiment within the club about Morata’s talent and the disappointment of not utilizing it adequately during his time at Milan.
Morata’s football career has seen him play for some of the most prestigious clubs across Europe. He began with Real Madrid, then moved to Juventus where he helped secure multiple titles, including two Serie A championships. Brief stints at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid followed, demonstrating his mobility across major football leagues.
His move to Galatasaray is particularly significant as it opens another chapter for him at the Turkish club, where he hopes to reinvigorate his career following the challenges faced at Milan. With Galatasaray’s ambitions to compete at high levels, Morata’s experience could play a pivotal role as they gear up for future challenges.
Overall, Morata's transfer marks not just another loan but potentially the start of new opportunities for him. This transfer has been carefully orchestrated, providing Galatasaray the latitude to make strategic moves based on performance, and for Morata, it presents the chance to thrive once again on the pitch.