Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray: Expectant Galatasaray fans lined up on the streets of Turkey to receive beleaguered Napoli forward Victor Osimhen to the Turkish league.
In viral footage making the rounds on social media, the former Chelsea and Al-Ahli target was greeted with a heroic welcome as he sets out for a new chapter with the Super Lig champions.
The fans, decorated in Galatasaray colours, could be seen lining up on the streets to welcome the footballer. Osimhen was also seen engaging the fans while being serenaded by their chants.
Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray marks the end of a bedraggled transfer saga that nearly drowned the player’s career. Recall the footballer would have either joined Al-Ahli or Chelsea in the final hours of the 2024-25 transfer window.
Al-Ahli tabled a whooping β¬80m offer to Napoli for the player which was accepted. However, agreeing on personal terms with Osimhen was a problem despite a mouthwatering β¬25m annual salary offer.
Osimhen kept Al-Ahli’s interest and offer at bare hoping to reach an agreement with Chelsea. Talks with Chelsea dragged on till the final minutes of the transfer window, and an agreement could not be reached.
While the Premier League club had an agreement with Napoli for the player, they reportedly offered the footballer three times less than what he earned at Napoli, and he rejected it.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli had signed former Brentford forward Ivan Toney and had no place for the footballer anymore due to the Saudi quota rule for foreign players.
Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray Move: all you need to know
Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray is a soothing balm to what would have been an intractable transfer problem for the Nigerian footballer. He was axed out of Napoli’s first-team after the slated move to Chelsea or Al-Ahli failed.
Napoli new head coach Antonio Conte stated categorically that the player is not part of his squad plans and will not be integrated into the squad. His Napoli No.9 shirt was handed to new signing Romelu Lukaku. Hence, an urgent transfer solution was needed for the player to return to elite-level football again.
Notably, Osimhen had to concede a lot to make the move to Galatasaray possible. According to Fabrizio Romano, he is joining the club on a loan deal without a buy option.
Also, as part of the agreement, a break clause has been attached to the deal, which could be activated in January 2025. This means the player will be open to moving to another club when the transfer window opens in January.
Additionally, Napoli have reportedly agreed to peck down his release clause from β¬130m to β¬75m while Galatasaray will cover all of his β¬246,538 weekly wage.
Victor Osimhen’s chances and prospects at Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray is just a makeshift transfer arrangement to buy time away from Napoli and temporarily settle to reassess further transfer opportunities.
However, the player is likely to be a big addition to the team’s attacking lineup featuring Michy Batshuayi and Mauro Icardi. Known for his pace, strength, and incredible work rate, the Nigeria international will be a great attacking option for the Turkish giants.
Osimhen could make his debut for Galatasaray in the Super Lig match on Sunday, September 15.
