Victor Osimhen Seals €75m Permanent Transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray

4 days ago

Victor Osimhen completes his transfer to Galatasaray from Napoli

Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen has officially completed a €75m permanent transfer from Serie A giants Napoli to Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray. The deal, finalized on July 31, 2025, marks the end of a protracted transfer saga that dominated headlines for weeks, culminating in one of the most significant moves of the summer transfer window. The agreement includes a 10% sell-on clause for Napoli and sees Osimhen sign a lucrative four-year contract with Galatasaray, earning a staggering €21m per season.

The transfer of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray has not bee straightforward. After a highly successful loan spell with the Turkish club during the 2024-25 season, where he scored an astonishing 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, Osimhen made it clear that his heart remained in Istanbul. His performances, which included leading Galatasaray to the Turkish Super Lig title and earning the league’s best player accolade, cemented his status as a fan favorite at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi.

However, negotiations between Napoli and Galatasaray were fraught with complications. Despite the expiration of Osimhen’s €75m release clause earlier in the summer, Napoli held firm on their valuation, refusing to accept anything less than the full amount. The clubs haggled over payment structures, with Napoli initially rejecting Galatasaray’s proposal to pay €40m upfront and €35m in installments, as well as demanding a 20% cut of any future sale. Galatasaray’s persistence paid off, and after weeks of intense discussions, they agreed to meet Napoli’s demands, providing the necessary financial guarantees to secure the deal.

The final agreement stipulates that Napoli will receive €40m immediately, with the remaining €35m to be paid by the end of the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Napoli secured a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring they will benefit from any profit made on Osimhen’s potential future transfer, as well as up to €5m in performance-related bonuses. A unique “anti-Serie A clause” was also inserted, preventing Osimhen from joining any of Napoli’s Italian rivals for the next 24 months, a move reportedly aimed at thwarting interest from clubs like Juventus.

Osimhen’s determination to return to Galatasaray was a driving force behind the transfer. Despite receiving a far more lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the 26-year-old striker turned down the proposal, prioritizing his desire to continue his career in Turkey. His commitment to Galatasaray was evident in his actions, including submitting a medical note to avoid attending Napoli’s pre-season training, a move that underscored his intent to force through the transfer.

The Nigerian’s journey to this point has been remarkable. Signed by Napoli from French club LOSC Lille in 2020 for a fee of €78.9m, including cash and player exchanges, Osimhen quickly established himself as one of Serie A’s premier strikers. During his four-year stint with the Partenopei, he scored 76 goals in 133 competitive matches, including 65 in 108 Serie A appearances. His crowning achievement came in the 2022-23 season when he won the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer, netting 26 goals to help Napoli secure their first league title since the Diego Maradona era.

However, Osimhen’s final season with Napoli was marred by uncertainty. After failing to secure a permanent move away from the club in the summer of 2024, he was frozen out by manager Antonio Conte and loaned to Galatasaray. His explosive form in Turkey reignited interest from top clubs, but Osimhen’s loyalty to Galatasaray and his desire to remain in Istanbul proved decisive.

Osimhen’s new four-year contract with Galatasaray, effective from the 2025-26 season, is one of the most lucrative in Turkish football history. The deal includes a net salary of €15m per season, supplemented by a €1m loyalty bonus and €5m in image rights fees, totaling €21m annually. The contract underscores Galatasaray’s ambition to build a formidable squad around their star striker, who is expected to continue his prolific goal-scoring form in the Turkish Super Lig and European competitions.

Galatasaray celebrated Osimhen’s arrival with characteristic flair, posting a video on social media of the striker aboard a flight to Istanbul, accompanied by the Italian phrase “Solo il Gala” (“Only Gala”). The message was interpreted as a subtle dig at Napoli, reflecting the Turkish club’s triumph in securing their prized asset. The club also live-streamed Osimhen’s flight tracker on YouTube, engaging fans with commentary and analysis as they awaited his arrival for a medical on July 31.

Also, Osimhen’s €75m move ranks among the most expensive transfers of African players in football history, highlighting his status as one of the continent’s brightest talents. His 21 goals in 35 caps for Nigeria further underscore his importance to the Super Eagles, and his performances in Turkey are likely to enhance his reputation on the international stage.