Turkish football club Galatasaray has secured a season-long loan deal for Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen from Italian Serie A side Napoli.
The agreement comes ahead of the Turkish transfer window deadline, bolstering Galatasaray’s attacking lineup for the 2023-2024 season.
The Nigerian forward, who has been in scintillating form for Napoli, is now the subject of a potential loan move to the Istanbul-based club, after a fall-out with the club, following a failed transfer to Saudi and Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Renowned football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that negotiations between the parties are underway, with all sides working to finalize the deal.
Transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano, confirmed the report on Monday, noting that the deal does not include an option to sign the Nigerian permanently after the loan deal.
“Galatasaray have agreed to cover €9/10m as salary of Victor Osimhen until the end of the season. The loan deal agreed with Napoli does NOT include any buy option/obligation clause.
“One year loan, salary covered as Napoli have accepted these conditions. Gala’s delegation to meet with Osimhen in Napoli in next hours for final green light to the move,” Romano tweeted.
With the top five European leagues having shut their transfer windows, Turkey remains one of the few options for clubs looking to finalize late deals, and Galatasaray appears keen to seize this opportunity.
Napoli’s decision to exclude Osimhen from their squad has fueled speculation about his future.
The Serie A side seems eager to keep the forward out of action until his transfer situation is resolved.
With the Italian club’s title ambitions still high, they might be considering their options carefully, but the prospect of a loan move to Galatasaray is now on the table.
The urgency for Galatasaray to secure a striker has intensified following Mauro Icardi’s injury. The Argentine forward, who has been crucial to the team’s attack, is now sidelined, leaving a significant gap in their frontline.
As a result, the Turkish champions have turned their attention to Osimhen, who they see as a viable option to bolster their attack.
The club is even considering a tactical shift to a 3-5-2 formation, which would allow both Icardi and Osimhen to play together once the former returns to fitness.
Osimhen’s potential move to Galatasaray would be a major coup for the Turkish side. The 24-year-old striker has been one of the most sought-after talents in European football, attracting interest from several top clubs.
His powerful playstyle, clinical finishing, and ability to lead the line have made him a target for many, but Napoli’s high asking price has so far deterred permanent moves. A loan deal, however, could provide a temporary solution for all parties involved.
Interestingly, Saudi Arabian clubs, who have been active in the transfer market, seem to have taken a backseat in this pursuit.
Clubs like Al-Ahli, who had previously shown interest in Osimhen, have now withdrawn their bid, citing that they are already well-stocked in the striker department.
This has left Galatasaray as one of the few remaining clubs with a realistic chance of landing the Nigerian forward.
With the Turkish transfer window set to close on September 13, Galatasaray are racing against time to secure Osimhen’s signature.
The club’s management is reportedly working around the clock to finalize the deal, aware that adding a player of Osimhen’s caliber could significantly enhance their domestic and European campaigns.
If the deal goes through, it would not only reinforce Galatasaray’s attacking options but also send a strong message to their rivals in Turkey and beyond.
The Victor Osimhen transfer saga has been one of the most talked-about stories of the summer. From being linked with moves to top clubs in England, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, to now potentially joining Galatasaray, the striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the Turkish transfer window, all eyes will be on Istanbul to see if Galatasaray can pull off what would be one of the biggest signings of the summer.
