Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is on the verge of joining Galatasaray after the former Italian champions and the player agreed on a loan move to the Turkish giants on Monday.
After his unsuccessful move to Chelsea, the 25-year-old still has a chance of leaving Napoli before the Turkish transfer window ends on September 13.
The news was first reported by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport on Monday, and certain Nigerian sources connected to the player, including Wazobia FM OAP, Buchi Laba, and Sulaiman Adebayo, also known as Pooja, provided updates as the trade progressed.
Sky Sport Italia and RMC Sport also stated that Napoli approved a dry loan—with no option to buy—as long as Galatasaray paid his full salary of almost €11 million per season.
The alternative would have been for the Turkish club to pay a loan charge while sharing the earnings.
Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s director of sport, also told Sports Digitale in Turkey, “It is correct to say we are in talks with Galatasaray and are close to reaching an agreement.”
According to Pooja Media, both teams also agreed that the player’s €130 million release clause might be activated by potential suitors in January 2025.
Osimhen was also claimed to be excited about joining Galatasaray after being faced with the prospect of sitting in the stands until the transfer market opened in January.
Before the summer transfer deadline last Friday, the EPL was Osimhen’s favourite destination, but the 25-year-old couldn’t bend his wage demands, with Chelsea offering him only €4 million per year plus €4 million in performance bonuses, compared to his €12 million yearly salary at Napoli.
Napoli was also claimed to have agreed to a €70 million plus €10 million in bonuses with Al-Ahli, with the player receiving €40 million per season and, crucially, an inexpensive release clause for a return to Europe in the near future, but the Partenopei requested an additional €5 million, which annoyed the Saudis.
After both negotiations failed, Napoli insisted he would not be welcomed back into the squad, citing the Nigeria international’s declaration months ago that he no longer wanted to play for them.
He will reconnect with old Partenopei teammate Dries Mertens in Istanbul.
Although Osimhen desired a Champions League team, he will still be able to compete in the Europa League with Galatasaray, who face Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax in the campaign.
