Napoli has reportedly reached an agreement for Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen to join Turkish giants Galatasaray on loan for a season. According to SkyItalia, which first reported the possible move, this would involve Galatasaray paying the full salary of Osimhen for the loan period, estimated at about €4.5 million for the season. But the agreement does not include a mandatory purchase clause, which would allow the striker to return to Napoli at the end of the loan if nothing more came of it.
This is following a summer transfer window filled with drama on the future of Osimhen, who had been linked with several top European clubs like Chelsea and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli. Although heavy interest was given, a transfer never materialized before the window shut on September 1 for most major European leagues. However, the transfer market remains open in Turkey until September 13, and this has given Galatasaray a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of the highly sought-after forward.
According to SkyItalia, Napoli‘s president Aurelio De Laurentiis has given the green light to the loan agreement personally-a surefire sign that the club will let go of the striker temporarily. The player’s entourage reportedly contacted and gave a preliminary green light to the transfer, but it is yet to be announced. Renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano explained that while Napoli accepted Galatasaray’s proposal, it was not yet decided by Osimhen himself. He is expected to meet representatives of Galatasaray in the coming hours, where personal terms will be discussed, including bonuses and image rights, along with a vision for the coming season.
Osimhen’s position at Napoli has been surrounded by complications given his desire to leave the club had seen the striker omitted from the squad for the 2024/25 Serie A campaign. This is reportedly based on frustrations from Osimhen over Napoli’s handling of negotiations in transfers, coupled with his ambition to play in a different league or obtain a more lucrative contract. Osimhen’s exclusion from Napoli’s squad has ensured the speculations are rife over his future, with the deal at Galatasaray being critical to sorting out his short-term playing situation.
The deal may make financial sense for both clubs. The transfer could clear significant salary owed to Osimhen off Napoli’s wage bill, therefore allowing the club to reinvest in other areas of the squad during the winter transfer window. Galatasaray, desperate for attacking reinforcements, seize this as an opportunity to bring in a top-class striker without committing to a long-term financial obligation.
Galatasaray is a powerhouse in Turkish football and has been able to play in Europe every season. The deal would be important for the club as they look forward to reinforcing the attack with a player like Osimhen. Indeed, the Turkish club believes that signing an established goal getter such as Osimhen would go a long way toward improving their prospects of domestic success and plunging deep into Europe.
With the clock ticking on Turkey’s transfer window, the result of this might just be a huge factor, many ways, for all parties involved. For Osimhen, such a loan spell back in Turkey will rekindle his life in career circles and avails him the platform he needs to showcase his talents within the domestic and European stages. In as much as Napoli is concerned, this will ease tensions with the player, while his value will continue running high ahead of the forthcoming transfer windows.
With talks still ongoing, and left to the mercies of Osimhen’s final word, the footballing world stands with bated breath to see this deal hopefully pull through. The next hours and days will be important to see if this move will materialize and, thus, Victor Osimhen’s career.
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