Italian club Napoli has turned down a €65 million offer from Turkish side Galatasaray for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. The report, originally published by Corriere dello Sport, states that Galatasaray attempted to make Osimhen’s loan deal permanent but failed to meet the €75 million release clause in his contract.
The 26-year-old forward is currently on loan at Galatasaray until the end of the season, with no direct purchase option included in the agreement. However, the Turkish club has a negotiation advantage due to a compensation clause. If Osimhen transfers to another club in January, Galatasaray would receive €6 million in compensation, effectively raising his release clause to €81 million for other interested teams during the winter transfer window.
This clause means that Galatasaray is the only club that can sign Osimhen for €75 million this month. Other clubs will have to wait until the summer to activate the same release clause.
Osimhen’s initial release clause was set at €130 million, but it was reduced last summer when he extended his contract with Napoli before moving to Galatasaray.
Since joining the Turkish league leaders, Osimhen has been in top form, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists in just 20 appearances. His performances have further increased his market value, making him a sought-after player in European football.
Despite the transfer talks, Osimhen has made it clear that he intends to stay at Galatasaray until the end of the season. In December, he told reporters, “I will not leave in January, I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season. I do not know what Galatasaray and Napoli are talking about afterwards, but if they come to me, we will talk.”
Osimhen’s reputation has soared since his outstanding 2022/23 season with Napoli, where he netted 26 goals, won the Serie A Golden Boot, and played a key role in securing Napoli’s first league title in over 30 years.
