Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly agreed to a permanent move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. The news was broken by Nigerian broadcast journalist Buchi Laba, who is known to have close ties with the Super Eagles forward.
Laba announced the update on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Exclusive: Victor James Osimhen says YES to Galatasaray & wants to continue with the Turkish Team.”
Osimhen, who has scored an impressive 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli, was loaned out to Galatasaray following a fallout with new Napoli head coach Antonio Conte. The Italian tactician opted to back Romelu Lukaku as his main striker, prompting Osimhen’s temporary move to Istanbul for the 2024/25 season.
During his loan spell, the Nigerian striker quickly became a fan favorite at Galatasaray, adapting well to the Turkish Süper Lig and embracing life in Istanbul. Despite interest from top Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool, and a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia, Osimhen has reportedly made it clear that he wants to continue with Galatasaray permanently.
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According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker has made his decision after narrowing his options down to four clubs. Ultimately, his positive experience in Turkey appears to have been the deciding factor.
However, Galatasaray now face a major hurdle, as Napoli are holding out for the full value of Osimhen’s €75 million (£64.8m, $88.3m) release clause. That figure presents a significant financial challenge for the Süper Lig side, despite their ambition to keep the 25-year-old striker permanently.
While the player is eager to continue in Istanbul, the final outcome now rests on whether Galatasaray can meet Napoli’s financial demands or negotiate a reduced fee. For now, the transfer hangs in the balance, with the ball firmly in the court of the Turkish champions.