Victor Osimhen is a name very well known in world football. For the last few years, he has been a prolific goalscorer in Naples, breaking many records and becoming a fan favourite along the way – as well as a beloved player in his home country, Nigeria. But, just a few days after the transfer window closed in the “top” nations, he became the Turkish league’s highest valued player by over eighty million euros. How?
Reports suggest that Osimhen turned down a lucrative offer that would have seen him join up with ex premier league fan favourites Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez at Al Alhi in Saudi Arabia. Both he and his agent were very open with the player’s aspirations: stating that his business at the very top of the game is unfinished. Bigger clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool had registered interest in the Nigerian, so once again – how did he end up in a country ranked 10th in UEFA’s coefficients?
After being linked with a move away from Napoli for quite some time, this finally seemed like the summer he would part ways with the club. New manager Antonio Conte didn’t seem overly enamoured with him, and Osimhen himself wanted to move away – with his boyhood club, Chelsea, being highly interested.
The issues surrounding his transfer saga are actually very simple – and he will want clubs to forget about them fast.
Despite his availability and apparent quality, Chelsea, Liverpool, and a host of other clubs were reportedly put off of a deal due to his high demands – and unwillingness to lower them.
So, the window slammed shut in England – with the aforementioned clubs seemingly happy with their summer business. Osimhen, however, remained in Naples – allegedly furious with the club, with “no way” of getting back into the team.
This is where Galatasary saw the light. In an astounding move that could potentially be huge for Turkish football, Victor Osimhen travelled to Turkey to complete a one year loan move. To land a player of Osimhen’s quality, Galatasary were willing to jump through some hoops. This included a “break clause” for the January transfer window – which would allow the loan to be cut short should a club decide to go after him. In the meantime, he negotiated himself a new release clause with his parent club, valued at around 75 million euros – 25 million below his reported market value. (As per transfermarkt, June 5th 2024.)
That’s not to say Osimhen had much of a choice, though. After the failed transfers to England and his rejection of Al Alhi, he had two options. It was either a season in Turkey, or a season rotting in Napoli’s reserves – which could potentially kill his career entirely.
After all of this, Osimhen will be hoping for a positive season in Turkey – and more importantly, that this saga doesn’t damage his public image. While many football fans are applauding him for rejecting the mega-money Saudi contract, there are many criticising his attitude, too. And while many fans of premier league clubs wish they could’ve got him, many are breathing sighs of relief that their clubs refused to break their entire wage structure for just one player.
It’s apparent that Victor will neither be in Turkey or Italy a year from now. But the question is, what’s next for him?
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