- Galatasaray is negotiating to secure Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli permanently, after his impactful start on loan
- Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, demands $82 million for the transfer, which reflects Napoli’s unwillingness to budge on price
- Galatasaray faces additional challenges with Osimhen’s salary expectations, rumoured to be €20 million per year
Galatasaray’s move to bring Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen on loan stirred major excitement in global football, but turning this temporary arrangement into a permanent stay is proving to be a major challenge.
According to Napoli Sporting Director Giovanni Manna, the Italian club is holding firm, demanding a substantial $82 million fee for Osimhen’s permanent transfer,
“If Galatasaray does not pay the net fee of $82 million, they will not be able to keep Victor Osimhen,” stated Manna.
She added that several other clubs are also interested in the striker, stressing Napoli’s determination to secure a significant return on the player.
Before the loan to Galatasaray, Napoli had already adjusted Osimhen’s original release clause, reducing it from a staggering $141 million to $98 million for the winter transfer window and to $82 million for the summer.
For Galatasaray, this seems like both a promising opportunity and a steep financial climb, determined to overcome these obstacles, Galatasaray President Dursun Ozbek has been actively exploring funding avenues and sponsorships to meet Napoli’s high demands. He voiced his optimism, saying,
“Osimhen is an important player for us this season, and we are proud to have brought him to Türkiye. We have time to consider the next steps in our club’s structuring.”
Reports reveal that President Ozbek has greenlit a budget proposal close to $55 million, intending to structure payments over the long term with potential performance-based bonuses.
With four goals and four assists in just seven matches for Galatasaray, Osimhen’s impressive start has only heightened the club’s motivation to secure his future. Yet, another hurdle looms, Osimhen’s substantial salary expectations, the Super Eagles forward is reportedly asking for €20 million per year for a permanent stay in Istanbul,
As the January transfer window approaches, Galatasaray’s management remains in ongoing negotiations with Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives. The club’s plan to keep Osimhen has Turkish football fans eagerly watching, while Napoli’s $82 million price tag leaves a suspenseful question; can Galatasaray turn this ambitious bid into reality?
Osimhen becomes most-followed Nigerian footballer on IG, here are the 9 most followed after him
Previously, TheRadar reported that Osimhen’s growing social media presence can be attributed to his electrifying performances for his new club, especially his assist run in his last three games.
After his record-setting loan move to Galatasaray, Osimhen’s follower count surged dramatically, proving his growing popularity among fans around the world. Within two weeks of the transfer, the 25-year-old saw his Instagram followers increase by 848,000, making him Nigeria’s leading most-followed personality in football.
