Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has sealed a surprise move to Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli for the 2024-25 campaign. In a deal finalized late in the transfer window, Galatasaray agreed to cover Osimhen’s wages for the upcoming season, while both clubs settled on a free loan arrangement without any option to buy.
The journey to this loan move has been a whirlwind. Osimhen, who signed a contract extension with Napoli until 2026 just last December, expressed his desire to part ways with the Italian club this summer. Despite having a hefty €135 million release clause, Napoli couldn’t secure a sale for the 24-year-old star before the summer transfer window closed. Clubs like Chelsea and Al-Ahli showed strong interest, but nothing materialized in the end.
As the deadline approached, Napoli found themselves in a bind. With Osimhen’s future in limbo and the striker excluded from the Serie A roster, the club had to find a solution. Enter Galatasaray, who took advantage of the still-open Turkish transfer window and swooped in at the last moment to secure Osimhen’s services for the season.
Although Osimhen’s release clause has been reduced to €75 million, with the option to extend his deal until 2027, Napoli ultimately decided that a temporary departure was the best course of action. The club, led by new manager Antonio Conte, will use this season to focus on Romelu Lukaku, whom they brought in as a replacement striker.
For Osimhen, this move to Galatasaray represents a fresh start. While the Italian chapter is on pause, his story with Napoli isn’t over yet. The Nigerian international will be looking to make his mark in Turkey while awaiting the next step in his career, possibly in the summer of 2025.
The Victor Osimhen saga might have taken a twist, but it’s far from concluded—stay tuned for more updates in the coming months
