It seemed almost a certainty that Victor Osimhen would make a big money transfer next year, possibly to the Premier League – but that may no longer be the case.
The Nigeria striker was involved in one of the biggest transfer sagas of 2024 this past summer, which ended with him making a shock move to Galatasaray on loan.
The 25-year-old evidently had no future at Napoli after new manager Antonio Conte signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. When he failed to secure a move away before deadline day, he was exiled from the squad.
Europe’s top clubs were put off by the €130 million (£109.5m) release clause, leaving a move to Turkey as one of his only options.
Victor Osimhen transfer update
A permanent transfer in January became a real possibility after reports emerged that Napoli had lowered the release clause to €75m (£63.2m) at the player’s request before he departed for Galatasaray.
Intriguingly, Turkish media claimed that only a select few clubs named by Osimhen, which apparently includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, can activate the clause.
It now turns out that Osimhen could remain at Galatasaray through the season – and beyond. He is “currently not planning a move in winter”, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Istanbul outfit are “making serious efforts” to hold onto him next summer, with “initial talks” already taking place about such a move.
The report adds that Osimhen “feels very comfortable” in the Turkish capital and the club is “looking to get creative” to make a deal work. If they are somehow successful, it would be a big blow to the Premier League clubs linked with the former Lille man.
Chelsea tried to sign the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window closed, with The Athletic claiming they “explored up to seven different structures of a pay deal … without success”.
Liverpool also made a late bid to sign Osimhen in the week leading up to deadline day, but were put off by the player’s wage demands, according to Corriere dello Sport. Manchester United were linked with the centre-forward in January.
Osimhen has scored six goals in six Turkish Super Lig appearances, and grabbed a brace against Spurs in the Europa League, since joining Galatasaray.
Read – Victor Osimhen opens up on ‘easy’ transfer decision
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