Victor Osimhen Breaks Transfer Records as Epic Saga Reaches Stunning Conclusion
Galatasaray have officially confirmed the permanent signing of Victor Osimhen in a record-breaking deal valued at €75 million (£64.8 million, $85.7 million).
Osimhen completed the 2024–25 campaign on loan with the Turkish champions following unsuccessful negotiations for a departure from Napoli the previous summer and remained consistently linked with Premier League moves. Both Manchester United and Chelsea showed genuine interest in the Nigerian striker who had an outstanding period at Napoli, though neither English club appeared prepared to satisfy the Italian team's hefty valuation.
Reports emerged this month indicating that both Galatasaray and Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal matched Napoli's €75 million valuation, structured as €40 million (£34.6 million, $45.7 million) initially plus €35 million (£30.3 million, $40 million) across two additional payments.
Instead of pursuing Saudi Arabian wealth, Osimhen has stayed in Istanbul. Speaking to the club's official media platforms following the deal's confirmation, he declared, "Solo il Gala." Only Gala.
The Turkish club took the unusual step of publicly disclosing Osimhen's transfer cost, making him not only their most expensive signing ever—surpassing Gabriel Sara's previous record of €18 million (£15.6 million, $20.6 million)—but also establishing the striker as Turkish football's most costly acquisition in history.
Gala additionally disclosed Osimhen's exact compensation package. "Under the terms agreed, the player will earn a net annual guaranteed wage of €15 million [£13 million, $17.1 million], a net loyalty payment of €1 million [£860,000, $1.1 million] annually, and €5 million [£4.3 million, $5.7 million] yearly for image rights," according to an official club announcement.
The choice to stay in Turkey wasn't solely monetary—Al Hilal allegedly offered a significantly more lucrative salary package. Osimhen delivered his career-best performance when Napoli captured Serie A for the first time since Diego Maradona's era in 2022–23 and firmly rejected all approaches for the league's leading goalscorer that summer. Club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis allegedly stated that one of Osimhen's feet alone was valued at €200 million (£172.9 million, $228.6 million).
The subsequent season proved chaotic for everyone in Naples as the defending champions dropped to a disappointing 10th place, with Osimhen bearing significant consequences. The campaign started with Napoli's official social media seemingly ridiculing their striker after a penalty miss. During another transfer impasse in summer 2024, Galatasaray provided the forward with an escape route.
Osimhen justified that trust with 26 league strikes as Gala cruised to the domestic championship, cementing his status as a beloved figure among the club's passionate supporters. Near the conclusion of last season, Osimhen's daughter initiated the crowd chant from the terraces celebrating one of her father's goals.