Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian international striker, has joined Turkish club Galatasaray on loan from Italian champions Napoli. The move was confirmed by both clubs on Wednesday. Galatasaray will pay a fee of six million euros (USD 6.65 million) to Napoli for the 2024-2025 season. This comes after Osimhen signed a contract extension with Napoli last December, extending his stay until 2026 with a reported release clause of 130 million euros. However, Napoli has also included an option to extend Osimhen’s contract until 2027.
Osimhen was a target for several clubs during the recent transfer window, with Saudi club Al-Ahli and Premier League side Chelsea reportedly interested. He was not included in Napoli’s Serie A squad for the current season, with the Italian club signing Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku as a potential replacement. This move signals a change in direction for the striker, who has been a key player for Napoli in recent years.
It remains to be seen if this loan move will be a temporary stopover for Osimhen or a permanent change in his footballing future. His performances in Turkey will be closely watched as he looks to make an impact for his new club.