Osimhen joins Galatasaray on season-long loan from Napoli

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has secured a season-long loan to Turkish champions Galatasaray, the clubs confirmed on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Nigerian forward, who arrived in Istanbul to a warm reception from fans, will earn a salary of €6 million ($6.6 million) during his stay. The loan deal does not include an option to buy, with Osimhen set to return to Napoli at the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Napoli announced the loan alongside a potential contract extension with Osimhen until June 2027. Despite scoring 26 goals to help Napoli clinch the Serie A title in 2023, Osimhen found himself sidelined as the club underwent significant changes, including three coaching changes and a disappointing 10th-place finish last season. His place in the squad was taken by Romelu Lukaku, and Osimhen had been pushing for a move away from the club.

Though Napoli set a €130 million ($144.3 million) release clause in his contract last December, interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Saudi club Al-Ahli fell short of Napoli’s valuation and Osimhen’s wage demands.

In Istanbul, Osimhen will reunite with former Napoli teammate Dries Mertens and is expected to fill in for injured Argentine striker Mauro Icardi. Galatasaray, eliminated in the Champions League play-offs, will compete in the Europa League this season, facing Tottenham, Ajax, and AZ Alkmaar.

(Source: AFP)